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N€W ZeflLRND'S PERSONAL COMPUTER MRGflZINC

September 1983: S1.25

Two new colour computers reviewed:
Dick Smith's low priced VZm

and
the powerful Colour Genie

Customising the System 80
plus new graphics card

Multiplan spreadsheet
program reviewed

Telecommunications

for the Micro user

— tap into OASIS

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BITS 6 BYTES

September, 1983 Vol.2, Mo.1

ISSN 0111-9826

FEATURES

Communications: 11 to 17

The worlds of communications and computers am merging, and access to
the data banks of the world promises to enrichen the lives of micro owners.
Pat Churchill. Rob Ftillerton, and Setwvn Arrow look at wfvat the Post Office
is doing m telecommunications, at access to overseas databases, at OASIS
and at this country's new micro database, tlio New Zealand beginning.

Education: A bonus issue. 27

Paul Vincent and Alien Clark's paper offering n plan for compatibility In
software in New Zealand schools. Ken Ryba, of Massey University, reports
on a North American visit and computer literacy in schools. A/ike Wall has
news o» a videotape about LOGO, that's available for use by schools and v
others.

Hardware Reviews:

Colour Gonie 21

Jay Mann tests tho Colour Genie the colour Sysiem80 as ii woro - and
likes it, especially since There's a way lo lap into some of those black-and-
white TRS-80 piogmms.

VZ200 18

The Dick Smith VZ200, xhe lowest priced colour computet on the market, is
given the once ovor by Rob Fullerton, and he finds it good value.

System 80/TRS-80: A bumper issue. 40 to 44

Wouldn't colour, graphics and sound bo nice on your System 3CVTRS 80?

Gordon Findlay 'oviows a Chiisiclmich made card that makes all this

possible.

Meanwhile Paul B'iggs tolls of an Auckland linn that is also providing

oxciting add-ons for the System 80.

Making micros talk:

Shayne Doyle reviews two speech synthesis units.

Software Reviow: Multiplan Spreadsheet program

Peter Biown finds Microsoft's Multiplan powerful end useful.

De-bugging

Paul Bieleski plans debugging strategy.

International

Craig Honey reports from ih« U.S. National Computer Conference.

VZ200 18

Colour Genie 21

Computer
Communications

COLUMNS

BBC: Sound Commands

Commodore 64: "Zork" adventure program

System 80/TRS-80: see above

CP/M: leaping in

Sinclair: Byte calculator

Beginners: more BASIC

Farming: computer irrigation scheduling

REGULARS

Vlicronews

Books

Club Contacts

Advertising Index

Book Club

58
60
31

Editorial
Letters
Glossary
Classifieds

48
47

59 System 80/TRS-80

60 modifications 40

■;. ii . ■ ,

BITS & BYTES is published monthly,
except January, by Neill Birss, Dion
Crooks and Paul Crooks.

Head office — first floor. Dominion
Building. 91 Cathedral Square.
Christchurch. Postal address: P.O.
Box 827, Christchurch. N.Z..

Telephone: 66-566.

Advertising

Co-Ofdmalor — Paul Crooks, loluprionu

66-566. Christchurch.

Representatives —

Auckland: Wendy Winitobead. te!epf-.oiYc

504 649 (w), 545-328 \i",. Box 534,

Auckland.

Wellington: Mate Moymann, telephono

858-461 or 844-985. P.O. Box 27-205,

Wellington.

Editorial

Editor - NoHi B*S3, P.O. Box 82r

Chiatchivch

Rer>'e&Gntatives —

Auckland: Calhy nnd Solwyn Arrow.

30A Bracken Avo., Tiikapuna.

Walling ton:

Shayne Doylo. I ft Molds worth Ave., UppU'

Hun, tclophonc 280-333 oxt. 892 lw>,

278-54B (h).

Pal Churchill, 7 Lucknow Tuiraca,

Kh-andallari. telephone 797-193 (h|.

Merchandise

Boah dub and aatt-Mtwa nvmngor: Don CrooKs

Subscription

Subscription tntrt H ; ■ ypai 111 issues) adulir.

.mil S8 > year to- bCV>0 inunlv

SubscdDtlixi* Iw*j*» from ttw issu» ot BUS &

BYTES alter ttw subnotion is -pecevofl.

0vo<**« subicifpiloni:

Su'fac* mnii - J23 a v«".

Airmail - Au«lral<o nnd Soutn Pacific, 645 o

yow; Notih America and Amu, $72 a yoar:

Europe. Smith America, il-o Mtdd-c tost. 904 a

year.

Subcctlption additiBion: When sending In

vuli*e rip: tons ploaso includo postal zonos tor ihr>

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send li to us wild t>>D co' 'ocllon marked.

Distribution

Inqulria*: Bookshops Gordon and Gotnh. Lift.
Cefiiputer stores - d«-»;; to the publishers.

Disclaimers

OPINIONS: lhc viewi ol inrawo'5 and Other

contributors i»'o not orcessmilv slia-ed by in*

pubSahan.

t>s magazine are coovkl 1 " They should not ho

wld or passed on lo non>3ubsc tlbets in onv 'onn

urmtod. or In lapo or dink formal.

LIABILITY: Allhougn material usoil in BITS &

BYTES Is chocked (o- accu'rcy. "0 liability com

bo assumed tor any losson duo to the use ol uny

maton.il In ihit mafjo/lno.

Production

Production Manage*: OtO*> Oooks.

Assistants flogs f B'Cwnny. Graefe Patterson.

Covjf and graphics: Sully V/il tarns.

Technical editor Chris O'OonoQhuo.

Typesetting: Focal Porn:.

Printed in Du indin l>y Allmn P<*'.s

epiTonifli

Bigger, better, and a little dearer:
we're on the march

Two changes have occured to "Bits & Bytes" this month. The first is a price
rise. The magazine now costs SI. 25 in shops, and subscriptions have
increased from S8 to $10 a year for adults, and from $6 to $8 a year for school
pupils {these increases will be applied as subscriptions 'fall due for renewal).

The second change is to the format . Tlie pages are bigger, we' re using more
expensive, glossy paper, antl we'll be including more colour pages.

The price rise s not caused by the change of format. The Depanment of
Trade and Induslry approved the rise on the basis of accounts for the then
existing format of tho magazine.

We. the publishers, are sorry to raise the price. The truth is, that when
setting up the magazine our inexperience caused us to underprice rt.

At its now level., SI .25. BITS & BYTES is still noi expensive, compared with
imported computer magazines, and since it went on sale last October (the first
issue was free), the size of this magazine has increased 50 per cent, We are
also striving to make each issue better than the last.

We look forward to the day, in a year or two. when the magazine is making
enough money :o pay adequately Ihose who spend hours at their word
processors writing articles, shoring their computer experience with the
thousands of other New 2ealanders who read BITS & BYTES.

In the meantime, we will work to increase readership and advertising so lhat
we can keep the magazine growing in size, in quality, and in its usefulness to
computer use*s and to the country. If you regularly road a copy that someone
else buys you can help by taking out a subscription. If you already buy BITS &
BYTES, stick with us; the game has just begun.

- Weill Birss

The 64 on
display

By PAT CHURCHILL

Clearly tho woman in the little
black cocktail number had gone to
the wrong reception room in tho
James Cook Hotel when
Commodore hold their Wellington
demo day for the Commodore 64.

"Gum- chewing. button-pushing
kids," she said to her companion
after a quick spin round the display.

Others who came lo watch the
machine go through its paces wore
considerably more enthusiastic and
dealers are reporting follow-up calls
from those who had their interest

aroused.

The chaired demonstration

programs whici put the 64 through
its paces had a continuing captive
audience, the cames kept the young
(and not so young! waiting for
hands-on thrills, and the word-
processing demo's attracted
considerable interest.
Commodore reps were kept busy

fielding a wide range of questions
and the table of peripherals provoked
many queries.

While U.S. prices for the 64 have
tumbled lo around a $400 low and
prices in New Zealand will inevitably
fall, according to one Commodore
man, even 81 S 1 295 the interest was

high.

We're a year
old!

. . . and it's time for foundation
subscribers to renew their subs!
If your RITS & BYTES label has

ihu code, I l/A or H/S on it, your
sub is now due, and there will be a
message under it from our eager-
beaver subscriptions man.

If your label has the code. l/A ot

l/S, your subscription will expire in
October. (There should be a
message on the bottom of your
label, too).

Please note the new subscription
prices.

I'lcaw note i Imi iIk nolo on ■)» Intel* m «; wtlj
mnlndert ot uriitciipiion expiry. ^ ik1 '" «"<w
euCSVtVi *ill K.A,- IttfN fftlCWCd 3l|G
nrcpaiaiKMi »' lhc lalxh- Ifyou hiv; tiff*. ) K -ij
in yoar icoc*.al, plc-aic ipxorc ibe notr;c.

Post your subscription

today

i - SeptemfK-i, 19KJ - 8ITS& BYTfS

Franklin's Declaration
of Independence.

"No other computer system has as many
features included as standard function for the
money, as the Franklin Ace 1000 and Ace 1200."

Franklin Ace 1000

Features: 64K RAM; Upper and
lowercase; Typewriter style keyboard;
1 2 key numeric pad; Alpha lock key;
Visi Calc 8 keys; 50 Watt power supply;
Built-in fan.

APPLE INCOMPATIBLE
The Ace WOO mil
run Apple IF programs
and peripherals
without modification.

Franklin Ace 1200

Features: Colour; 128K RAM;

Upper and lowercase; Serial and

parallel interfaces; Cursor key pad;

Alpha lock key; Visi Calc* and CP/M

keys; 50 Watt power supply; Built-in fan.

APPLE If* AND CP/M*
COMPATIBLE

Tfiff Ace 1&W wilt run
Apple IP* and GP/M* 1 programs
atitf peripherals without
modification. The included
CP/M* card more ttw
donates the universe of
software available to
Ace 1200 users.

Declare your own independence with a Franklin Ace 1000 or
Ace 1200, on show and available now at:

Micro Systems Research Umiled,
36 Cheshire Street (1st FJoor),
Pamall. (ph. 775-019)

Computer Plus Limited.
103-& Riccarton Road.
Riccarlon. Christclturcti.
(PH. 488-519)

Computer Enterprises Limited,

36 Waiwaka Tee.

New Plymouth. (PH. 80-216)

mm Mna mmm i Ma ■ * i ■ mm mmmmm mm*

FRANKLIN

COMPUTER CORPORATIOH

Franklin Computers Marketed and Distributed by
HITEC MICRO LTD. P.O. Box 1978 Auckland. 1. TELEPHONE 399-183 Auckland

"WE ARE DEALER FRIENDLY - '

G5I 5C1 0«?

MICROSOFT.
MULTIPLAN,.

Fast Answers to
Tough Questions

Multiplan is the new.
advanced -feature
electronic worksheet
that turns a micro-
computer into an answer
machine. Mulliplan lets
you tackle and solve
your toughest business
questions in a snap-
Mult iplan — simpler,
faster, more powerful
problem-solving soft-
ware for non-computer
people. From Microsoft,

MICRO NGLUS

Apple, TRS 80 I, IBM
PC, MS DOS CP/M
5tt"and8"

For further
information contact:

solstat industries
limited

P.O. Box 13-183, Armagh

CHRISTCHURCH

Telephone (03) 588-202

Telex N24774

Please send me details on
Multiplan:

NAME

ADDRESS

Customs

inquiry

at end

stage one

The Customs Deportment
investigation ol duty and soles tax on
computers an.i software bos reached
the end of its first stage.

At the request of tho Minister of
Customs, M" Allan, a team from
Customs, headquarters has been
making a roview. At tor hearing

submissions, many of them from

"Bits & Bytas" roadors, the learn

has marie its first report. This will
now go back to all who made
submissions so that they may make
final comments. Tho team will then
deliberate acain and a final report will
go to iho Minister, who will make a
decision.

In its initi. I report, the team makes
no recommendation on the computer
hardware ux of 40 per cent, on the
ground that this is being considered
with tho Tcport/reviow of the
Industrial Development Commission
on the electronics industry. (The IDC
came out against the high level of
tax.)

The first report makes four
recommenda tion s:

1. That trw computer tariff structure
should be separated from that
for iho various other goods with

which it is now tumped.

2. That tho rates ot duty on
computer software should be
consistent with New Zealand's
international obligations. This
means, in effect, that software
should he duty free from all
sources.

3. That the tariff should be
discussed with Canada and
Australia with a view to having a
completely free structure.

4. That the valuation of software be
consistent with the valuation
coelo of (lit! General Agreement
on Trado and Tariffs fG.A.T.T.t.

This fourth point would mean that
tho valuo assessment would take
into account the cost ot the medium,
the cost of the information on the
medium, and the cost of putting the
information on lo the medium. (The
present assessment takes the cost of
(he medium, the cost of putting the
information on to the medium and
adds 1 00 per cent .)

What this means for micro users is
that there's a lot of fighting loft to
do.

The socond and hnal report of tho

Customs Department team will be J
released to tho public only at the
discretion of the Minister.

Now micro users should begin
bringing to politicians' notice how
they fool about the duty on software,
and should also let the politicians
know that they ate right behind the
IOC in opposition to the iniquitous
hardware tax. Put tho local M.P. in
tho picture; put the Minister in the
picture; and clubs might consider
making joint policy statements on
tho mattor to local newspapers-
Members should discuss the matter
with as many non-users as possible.
We must convince the country ot tho
imporinnco ot this issue.

Osborne hard disk

Sirius Systems. Ltd, has
completed arrangements for tho
supply of hard disk drives for the
Osborne 1 microcomputers. Tho
It. hud- rango of hard disks will be
available in three sizes: 5 Mb at

$5,146; 10 Mb at $6,006; and 15.0
Mb at $7,615, including an
interface. Deliveries have already

started. Other interfaces for brands
such as Apple, are being evaluated
for the New Zealand market.

CED machines

CEO Distributors, Ltd. tho national
agent for Apple is branching out into
oiher brands. It will distribute the
Spectra Video, a 43K machine made
in Hong Kong and retailing in New
Zealand at $899 (5719 to schools!.

COMPUTER OWNERS

WE WILL MARKET YOUR SOFTWARE TN N.2.. AUSTRALIA AND THE USA
ANY ORIGINAL APPLICATION OR GAMES PROGRAM WI1 L BE
CONSIDERED.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION WRITE TO:

THE REMARKABLE SOFTWARE COMPANY LIMITED.

P.O. BOX 9535. HAMILTON. N.Z-

5 I tn- ig ' S A RYIES

Colour
Computer

Now every family can
afford their own personal
computer!

The incredible P&PS5.50
DICK SMITH VZ20O '

Personal Colour Compute

Here II is at last - (he breakthrough you've
been wailing lot 1 A personal colour comput-
er with all Iho right features: colour graphics
sound standard Microsoft BASIC (of oasy
programming, a wh opplng 8K bytes oJ RAM
memory, i he ability to wort* with a sta ndar d
TV set, or monitor if you prefer, and much
more. Yol thanks lo modern electronics and
ourbuying power, the Dick Smith V22O0 will
cost you only $349.00 ■ far less than any
Comparable computer* There'll never be a
better time to invest in your family's tuluro.

Yes, for lust $349.00 the Dick Smilh VZ 200
gives you amazing computing power • far
more than many machines two, Ihree or
even four times the price. Now you can find
out what computers are all about. The kids
can use it with their school work. M can keep
track of your home budget. It can even help
you in your business!

Still not convinced? Try our exclusive 7 day
money back satisfaction guarantee.

Buy Hie Dick Smith VZ 200 Colour Computer
and try it in your home tor up to 7 days. II
you're not absolutely delighted, you can
return it in original condition and packaging
for a full refund.

You'll owe nolh mg - not oven an explanation.

READ WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY:
'Overall. (Ills Is ft AMat lllfk com-
puter, and oho tha-l is likely In

■hiuw ffir fiici.-nl ,Vi.!r.iimr jht-
ftoiiof computing.
And from the cdJton
I'm c»rmriily floinc i-o buy onu"

May 1983 iuue. Australian
I'crMMiiil Computer)

• Slmplo and Bale to use

Operates from low voltago via a mains adaptor,
which Is included In the price. Absolutely sato •
oven lor children.

• Works with any normal TV set

It simply plugs in no need to buy an expensive
monitor (unless you prefer lo use ontfi,

• Uses a normal cassette recorder

No need to buy a high cost computer typo
recorder.

• Easy to read manuals. Demo cassette.

When you buy the VZ 200. you got not one but Iwo
manuals, a use's Manual and a BASIC Manual,
plus a Demonstration Cassette, and a book of
simpto programs.

A complete, ready- to- go computer thai plugs
Into your TV set! If required, thoso options will
be available shortly:

16K MEMORY oh*tk»

EXPANSION MODULE:

$149.00
cat x-?? to $99.00

PRINTER INTERFACE
MODULE:

DATA CASSETTE: c* X-?tor $ 1 29.00

That's the incredible

DICK SMITH VZ 200

ONLY AVAILABLE FROM

DICK SMITH Electronics

98 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland 1
Telephone: 504 409

MAIL ORDERS:Prlvate Bag, Newmarket

SOFTWARE -

To get your computer up
ana running.

GAMES:

Matchbox: CatX-723i

Poker CatX-7232

Blackjack: CatX-7235

Hangman: Cat X-7233

Slot Machine/Knock off/
Russian Roulette: Cal X-7234
Circus: Cat X-7236

BlOrhythm/Pflir Matching/
Calendar Cat X-7237

EDUCATIONAL:

Statistics 1: GalX-7251

Statistics 11: Cat X-7252

Matrix: Cat X-7253

Tennis Lesson/Golt
Lesson: CatX-7254

FINANCIAL:

Portfolio

Management: Cat X-7261

Discounted Cash Flow

Analysis: Cat X-7262

Financial Ratio
Analysis: Cat X- 7 263

ALL ONE PRICE)

$29.50,

BUSINESS HOURS:

Monday- Friday 9.00 am - 5.30 pm
Saturday morning: 9.00 am ■ 1 2 noon

SPEEDY MAIL ORDER SEflVIC E: Just onono Aucxlond 504 409.

ask for mail orders and quote oither your Banhco'd cVisa card No. 9HRI

Your order will receive immediate attention ost'N^gjjrfjc

MICRO NGUUS

Ki V t\ CI 1 1 1 II 1 1 t W I (I W MIXMM ■^<-a>.t«--y-—^-v ■-■,•.-.-.■.-.. -i 'vav^- J ~v. W re;-w- M -^»j.l^A-i*>^ J tJ.^^<W^»<-M ■ ) ,t I II H» || ) 1 1 ll | fc | « i m~rtW^"HWW^^MM'W«' l Wt«"i^'«"fa^W.' 1WJW.BW4

Cheap printers

Ho me -computer users will shortly
have a choice ot two new low-cost
primers to choose From, reports
Shayne Doyle. The first is the STAR
STX-80 thermal printer made by Star
Micronics in the United Stales. Il

features 80-column print at 60 c.p.s.
with true descenders, foreign
language characters and special
symbols. It also offers both line
detail dot graphics and block
graphics. The Star STX-80 is
handled hare by Access Data and
cosis $NZ462, The second printer is
also from the U.S., the Mannesmann
Tally Spirit. This is a conventional
dot matrix printer loaded with
facilities for its low price. Printing 80

cps, it offers 40, 71, 80. and 140
characters per line; upper/lower case
alphanumeric; bit image and block
graphics; four type styles including
italic; and more. Although the exact
price is not known yet, the agent.
Anderson Digital, expects it to retail

for around $900. Also coning from
Tally will be a new MictoPlotter
three-colour plotter. Watch 1or
reviews on these units, coming up

soon.

French videotex

Readers of- the articles on
telecommunications in this issue of
Bits & Bytes will be interested to
learn that Videotex Systems, Ltd,
has picked French Teletol software
to provide its proposed videotex
service for New Zealand. Videotex
Systems is a subsidiary of Computer
Consultants. Ltc, and Fourth Estate
Holdings. CCL has concluded an
agreement with a leading French
software house, Telesystems, to
develop a new software package
based on the more advanced French
software. Videotex Systems
originallv planned to offer services
using British Prestel software, but a
spokesman for the company says
that the French software is much
more advanced; in particular, in its
ability to access databases, pubfic or
private, storad on third-party remote
computer systems.

American prices

The following- prices are from
advertisements in the "Now York
Times" of June 19, and show how
badly New Zealand is affected by the
computer tax: Apple III 128K's for

$US1795 (SNZ2800) when bought
with some software packages; Apple
He's (64K) for $US859 <$N2 13401
with packages; Osborne's SUS999
(SNZ1558I.

Bundling

The same issue of the "New York
Times" says that micro manufac-
turers are tendin-g increasingly to
market bundled systems, with
software, printer and data storage
combined, rather than competing for
price on the basic unit. The
newspiipor cites the Coleco Adam
which will sell for SUS600 (SMZ936)
and include a daisy-wheel printer,
tape-storage, joysticks, and a word-
processing package. The paper
predicts that more versatile micros
such as the Commodore 64 will drop
so much in price that they will crowd
out the VIC-20's, just as the latter
have crowded out games-only
machines. It predicts lhat the IBM
Peanut, to be released this northern
autumn, a 1 6-bit machine selling for
under SUS10O0 will accelerate this
trend. The paper lists the
Commodore 64's June wholesale
price in America as SUS2O0
(SNZ312).

(lICROCOnPUTER

rcNTOC

LCI iii\l

239 High St
Christchurch
Telephone 62-894

The B.B.C. Microcomputer
Available today . . . but
designed for the future

Available
NOW from
New Zealand's Wo. 1
B.B.C. retailers

The new microcomputer

centre

3
OD

Come on in and take the future home

icrocomputers * Software * Servic

6 - Seotembw, 1 083 ws ft iivils

m»s

CREATIVE COMPUTER
Why your family will want one
. . .or two!

* No hidden costs! $775 buys you EVERYTHING to connect the M5 to your std TV and cassette recorder . Included are two
challenging games and a BASICH (Introductory) cartridge — to start you off in the computer world.

* For the first time, sophisticated 1 6-colour animation and sound-eflects are EASILY accessible via SORD's unique BASIC-G.
32 User-definable shapes ("sprites") allow you to creata complex animation and games, complete with sound-effects and
music from a 3-channel. 6-octave sound generator. The BASIC-G cartridge includes 4K of additional user memory.

* Homework, budgeting and record-keeping can be done with the FALC information processor cartridge. Use single-key
commands to enter, sort, search, calculate and graph aiy information you wish — without programming!

* Numerous games cartridges instantly provide arcade-style entertainment — even more fun with the optional joypads!
Game tapes are tremendous vadue with a wide variety cf full colour/sound games available — two per tape!

* As your needs grow, so will the M5- Other programming languages, games cartridges and tapes can be added, as can 32K
of msmory, an RS-232 interface, a fully-supported graphics printer and 1 60K microfloppy disk drives.

*• The SORD M5 Creative Computer has unmatched features and maximum flexibility at an affordable price!

M5 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

CPU:

Z80A (3.6MHz) with 280ACTC

Colour TV Output:

t6 Colour PAL Video & Sound

Video Controller:

TMS9918A (256 x 192 resolution; 1 screen

is/ w Video Output:

For B/W TV or monitor

modes Including 40 x 24 (exl mode: 32

Audio Output:

For optional speaker

User-definable sprites)

Cassette Recorder

Sound Generator

SN76489A 3 channel, 6 octave w ith

Interlace:

2O0O b its/second with remote conlro.

"^nvatoping" and noise generation

Printer Interface:

Centronics-type parallel

ROM:

8K monltof (up lo 16K ext'a in cartridges)

Joy p. id Interfaces:

2 Joypads available separately

Video RAM:

l6K(Usor addressable)

Cartridge Socket:

For plug-in sollwafe (ROM & RAM)

User RAM:

4K (Up to 32K exlra in cartridges)

cartridges, and expansion options

Keyboard:

55 key typewriter layout. 8 shift modes

September delivery
SOLD OUT

Next delivery
October

>€^

' Mfi

\<f

sr ,6^V eU

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MICRO N€UJS

■'■— (YlflMPWtW^W.VfV'-v-. .

Bee sale

Nowlands College. Wellington, has
recently bought 5 MicroBee IC's.
Keith Irvine, computer studies tutor
at the college, reports that they will
shortly link thern as a network, and
they are interested lo contact other
schools using MicroBees. Wellington
seems to becoming Bee country, just
as the BBC is staking out
Christchurch. and the Polys arc: well
entrenched in Rotorua. Shayne
Doyle reports that the South
Wellington Intermediate School, is
about to purchase a set of 1
MicroBee computers. These
machines will extend the school's

computing power from its original

couple of ZX81's. It is intended to
network the machines later this year.

Please support

BITS & BYTES

advertisers

We are Austral-asio's largest
supplier ol special purpose
and scientific software for

IBM PC

SCIENTIFIC

STATISTICS

MATHEMATICS

ANALYSIS

ENGINEERING

. . . send for our catalog!

Software Exchange

P.O. Box 2068 Washdyke, Tfimaru
New Zealand pnonO (056) 60-01 6

Oric release

The Oric-1 computer, h rival for
the Spectrum, is due to be released
here next month ay the New Zealand
agent, Barson Computers. More
details then.

But Barson's. also New Zealand
agent for the BBC, says the down-
market version of the BBC. the
Electron, is unlikely to reach these
shores this year. In fact, alter much
delay the Gleclran was expected lo
be released in t )■• United Kingdom
only this month.

Help! Bump! Help!

An Auckland sports club appeals
to readers of Bits & Bytes for help.

The Auckland Offroad Racing
Club, which promotes and organises
races for four-wheel-drive vehicles,
requires a po-tablo svstem for
collating, Tabulating, and printing oui
race results. These need to show
elapsed time, class, places, over-all
positions, etc, a|> at present manually

calculated.

Tho club will provide transport and
"logistics" support, of course, and
Offers trips to uhaccessiblc parts of
tho country for the helpers {two way
trips if the system works).

Anyone interested in helping
should contact Briar* Hartley, Box
8501 5. Sunrwnook, Auckland.

The public have a chance to make
their views known on copyright, and
there should be plenty of micro
users, programmers, and software
buyers and sellers with something to
say- The Industrial Property Advisory
Committee wes set up by the
Minister of Justice in 1 98 1 to advise
him on all aspects of industrial
property (patcrts. trademarks, and
designs) and laws and practices. Tho
committee's bref also covers many
copyright matters. Right now the
committee is preparing to examine

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All Prices pICt postage and packing. Fite lis! ataHabtt

the question of protection for
computer software whether it

exists in New Zealand now, if not,
whether such protection should
exist, and how it might most
appropriately be provided.

The committee will liaise with the
Law Reform Division of the Justice
Department, which looks after
"pure" copyright matters, as
necessary.

Very few submissions have been
made to ihe committee, and there
are no indications that more ace
forthcoming. However, it is keen to
hear from any interested companies,
associations, or individuals.

If you have a submission to make
please advise Mr R.W. Jackson, the
secretary, as soon as possible.
Submissions should be sent to:

Tho SecroiOiY

I.P.A.C.

c.'- Tho Patunl Office

Pttvatt! I'.-t

Lowor Hull

Bizarre bazaar

Mike Wall writes that some
amazing stories have been
circulating about "special prices" to
schools for major computer
purchases. If your school is thinking
of buying a dozen or so be prepared
lo ask for a very generous discount
on the list price, he suggests. Some
distributors of machines new to the
market are offering prices which just
can't be ignored, he says.

Science package

Software Arts, of Michigan, has
introduced a TKISolverPack for

introductory* science, retailing in
America for SUS100. This is the
third in a series or application
packages designed for use with ihe
TKISolver program, for solving

problems in business, science,

engineering, and education.

Tho introductory science TKI
SolverPack includes 12 models, each
of which contains equations, values,
and tables for solving problems in
physics, chemistry and biology.

The TKISolver proyram is available
loi the IBM Personal Computer and
will also run on the Digital
Professional 350 personal computer,

the Digital Rainbow 100 personal
computer and the Wang Professional
Computer. Versions for other major
brands of personal computers will
follow.

It is of interest that the McGraw-
Hill Book Company has signed an
agreemeni with Software Arts.

Under this, the publishing firm will
produce and market special
TKISolverPacks to accompany the

Software Arts programs.

8 - Sciiltmbor. 1983 BITS 6 BYTES

*"*■'. V

"Give me

one good reason why I should

choose a VIC 20 home computer."

1. VIC is outstanding value
for money. No other colour
home computer am give so
much for only $495

2. Total standard memory 25K
made up of 20K ROM and 5K
RAM.

3. Fully expandable to 32K of
user RAM,

4. Microsoft Basic interpreter as
standard.

5. Accessible machine language
as standard.

6. Connects direct to monitor or
standard television.

7. Full size typewriter-style
keyboard.

8. Full colour and sound,

9. All colours directly
controllable from the keyboard.

10, 62 predefined graphic
characters direct from the
keyboard.

1 1 . Full set of upper and lower 20. Full range of software for

case characters,

12. 512 displayable characters
direct from the keyboard.

13. High resolution graphics
capability built into the
machine.

14. Programmable function
keys.

15. Automatic repeat on
cursor function keys.

16. User-definable
iiiputyoutput pori.

17. Machine bus port for
memory expansion and ROM
software,

18. Standard interfaces for
hardware peripherals.

19. VIC 20 is truly expandable
into a highly sophisticated
computer system with a
comprehensive list of accessories
I sec panel below).

ActcTisraias IrkCiiMle

• Smgle a-we 6 N ' floppy *it jmi 1 1 70K fovtw o$x*y< .

• 80 coMnn dot maim pr -iter

• 3K. BK *»i]16KflAMei(*«0lcairiCQes

• PloipwiHngaidpuci.s. (•wclwKCOdefromtorcAtiiidiic.

i- ait.iw.-i;, jdc.iir.iif NgMesoluaonydiJ'CScaH'itlpe-

• B<JM E H.3IU XI =A>tfM)g«t

• BS 232C conrm-KjtwcinwJg*

• 1EEC 488 iWrlac* Utfiidfp.
■ Jofsttfis. bgl>! p«v», piddie-i *nd wm com* nta *

home, education, business and
entertainment on disk, cassette
and cartridge.

21. Books, manuals and learn-
ing aids from Teach Yourself
Basic to the VIC programmers'
reference guide (a must for
advanced programmers).

22. National dealer network
providing full service and sup-
port to VIC owners.

23. Hxperiise and experience
— Commodore arc world
leaders in microcomputer and
silicon chip technology.

24. Commodore is the leading
supplier of microcomputers in
New Zealand to business,
schools, industry and the home.

25. VIC 20 is the best-selling
colour home computer in the
world.

blow many reasons was it
you wanted?

commodore
VIC 20

I he I rest in ink- computer
in the world.

COMMODORE COMPUTER (IM.Z.) LTD

P.O. Box 33-847, Takapuna, Auckland

Telephone 4-97-081

Contact your
local dealer

BUS & BVTES - Sopiembnr, 1983 D

FARMING

,■,■.■/...-,.■■ . ■ '■•i-.-—:- .---.; ■-■'- r-,,,, ■ ■■...... ---,.: .:-. i . :..-.■.

*7M49«t.£v*ttavw™*-"*'l'

'■'■"" ■:■■• '■-■ •

^U^M^W^W" .' r -- '■-.. .

Controlling
irrigation

By CHRIS McLEOD

in earlier articles I have pointed out
that it a computer is going to be used
on the farm, it must be used more
than just to do financial work. There
is nothing wrong with using a
computer (or financial work on the
farm, in fact they are very useful,
The problem is that a computer is an
expensive option when compared
with farm consultants, etc. To justify
a computer on economic grounds,
you must have some other task or
tasks which it can be used for, which
will either save you money, or make

you money.

In this article, we will look at one
system, which in the right
circumstances, would allow you to
make considerable savings. Irrigation
scheduling is whore an optimal
irrigation plan is prepared given
climatic conditions, soil type, and
irrigation applications. A program is

being developed which takes these
factors into consideration, and
determines the best time to irrigate
specific crops on the farm with the
appropriate amount of water. A
computer can carry out this
procedure much more efficiently
than could be done by hand, mainly
because of ihe complex relationships
between water availability and crop

response.for different crops.

By using the program, water use
can be tailored much more exactly to
provide each ciop with the correct
amount of water at the right time to
reduce water stress to a minimum.
This results in much more efficient
use o^ the irrigation water and
irrigation equipment. Consequently,
better yields lor the crops can be
achieved with (he same amount of
time and water being used).

Another use for this program is to
use it to get an indication of what the
irrigation requiiements will be for a
given mix of crops before you have
sown the crops. By doing this
several times, changing crop types
and areas, you will be able to decide
on the best rrtx of crops, and the
area for each of these crops before
they are planted. This will only be an
indication because climatic effects
cannot be prediclsd with certainty,
but it is much belter than anything
available at present.

Because of the cost of irrigation,
and the differing responses to water
application at different stages of
growth, this system could easily be
justified on many irrigated cropping
farms, and on some irrigated pastoral
farms OS well-

- REWARD -

A Package consigned via:—

N.Z. COURIERS

between Auckland and Waipawa was

LOST or MISPLACED
in TRANSIT

The Package contains an IDS 460
Computer-printer serial No. 8918. The
owners will pay a substantial reward for its
recovery. Telephone collect

WAIPAWA BUSES, 'phone 679 WAIPAWA

FfiRMGftS! Now you can have all the advantages of computer
power anywhere in New Zealand without the technical hassles

AGRICALC

The no worry Computing Service for Farmers, Business people
and the Rural Community

For free info-malion send to: PENINSULA COMPUTING SERVICES, LTD

name . . _ Governor's Bay,

ADDRESS

IRDLyttelton.
Phone Gov. Bay 693

FARMERS...

Save time and money!

Let Rural Computer Sysioms take you into the computer
age. At lasl farming programs are available in New
Zealand. Produced by fanners with the assistance ol a
specialist farm accountant. Next time you are in
Chrislchurch contact Alister Burbury at 160 Tuam St, or
phono 796-734, or fill in the coupon below. Sit behind a
microcomputer with Rural Programs and you'll fine il hard
to tear yourself nway !

NZ Distributor:
FARMPLAN

□ Pluasti amid me R tH.il
Computer Inlormfllion

Na UK!

Authorised dealer; II I

popple
computer

Pteaw lend nw details
annul Rural Computer
S« miliars

Occupation

Address

Please send me details
out Rural Computet

MfMfstotnr.

FREEP0STN0. 100

RURAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS

P.O.BOX 1136 CHRISTCHURCH

•Stock Recording
•Financial Plan ning
•Feed Budgeting

I* Word Processm g
•Gross Margins
•Farm Diary
recording

10- September. 1983 - 8irs & BYU-s

COMMUNICATIONS

Hooking
up to the
wired
society

By PAT CHURCHILL

Onco you've mastered your
machine's version oi Space
Invaders, spent your tax refund on a
memory upgrade, and had a garage
sale (o raise funds for a printer, you
probably feel you're really into
computing.

You've computerised your homo
accounting, your cheque-book
balance has started agreeing with
your bank statement, you've
catalogued your library and your
record collection, learnt how to play
chess, and written to all your
relatives.

What other tricks con you and your
computer get up to?

If you've spent too many hours
alone burning the midnight oil while
you debug programs, or try to get
the space rocket to move up the
screen, you might be moved by the
urge to start communicatinfl with tlie

outside world! again. But can you
bear to leave your precious machine?

No need to. You can move beyond
your four walls without having to
leave your beloved hardware. It is all
just a telephone call away.

While home computing is Still in its
infancy in New Zealand, more
machines are being sold every week
and more and more people are
getting hooked. Although wo don't
yet have our own equivalent of
America's Source or the Australian
Beginning which offor home
computerists the power and services
of a large computer, that day will
surely come and present upgrading
work being done by the New Zealand
Post Office in telecommunications
will ultimately benefit hobby
computerists.

The Post Office operates several
telecornmunic atians net wo rks

capable of carrying data traffic, the
public-telephone network being ihe
best known.

Many businesses Subscribe to the
Datel service, a service which
provides for the transmission of data
over the telephone network.

As, the Post Office's Director of
Telecommunication Services. Dave
Richards, explairs it: "Datel started
off in the- very early days of data
communication because the only
network that was available was the

telephone network, so people
developed ways of transmitting data
over the telephone system.

"When someone is speaking
normally, they produce a wave
pattern, an alternating-current
speech pattern, and that is what a
telephone is designed to handle.

"Now data, when it comes out of
a terminal such as a teleprinter
terminal or a computer comes out as
noughts and ones, or marks and
spaces and it's coming out as pulses
of electricity. It might go negative,
positive, negative, positive. Feed
that into a telephone line and it won't
go anywhere."

This is where a modem — a
modulator-demodulator — comes
into play. The signal is fed into a
modem, which takes the signal and
converts it into tones. In this form it
can be transmitted down the
telephone line into a second modom,
where ii is converted back into
pulses to go into another computer.

At present, our telephone network
is what is called an analogue system:
speech is transmitted down the line
in an almost exact representation of
speech frequencies.

But. says Mr Richards, we are
switching to a digital system where
speech is monitored and then
converted into digital signals. "That
is, it's all in bits, just like a data

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BI'S a BY1ES - Sopiombcr. 1983 - n

COMMUNICATIONS

■■^■■■tyttHU

transmission, and it's re-assembled
at the other end."

While some countries have digital
signalling on their transmission linos,
they are still using the old analogue
typo exchanges, whereas Now
Zealand will eventually have a
system that is completely digital
transmission and exchanges.

One of the benefits ot this will be a
belter performance where

transmission of dala is concerned.
There will be fewer errors. Mr
Richards says.

Another benefit, when we have a
fully digital network, will be thai a
much simpler and cheaper interface
unit will be able to replace the
present relatively expensive

modems.

An alternative to the modem,
which is electrically connected, and
has to he wired up, is the acoustic
coupler. This has a microphone in
one end and a loudspeaker in the
other. A telephone handsel fits into
the coupler and the microphone
receives the tones from the
telephone line and converts them
into pulses for connection to the
computer.

"We can't stop people from using
thorn - we wouldn't even try/' said
Mr Richards. But the Post Office
gives warning that acoustic couplers
are not as reliable as electrically
connected modems.

''That doesn't matter for
communicating within New Zealand,
or certainly not within the same
town because the telophone system
is of pretty good quality. There's no
groat loss of signal strength, so iho
acoustic coupled modem works
pretty well."

But when people get on to
international circuits, they can run
into trouble, he says.

"II only needs someone to bang a
door or knock a table and that can
create a noise in the box that will get
through into the computer and cause
trouble such as mutilation of data."

Another Post Office development
includes a new range of telephones,
and these could provide a problem
for acoustic couplers. Although the
ear and mouthpieces are the same
distance apart, the handset may not
fit some couplers. Coupler users may
have to- stick with their old phones.

Old or new, push-button or
otherwise, the telephone can provido
you and your computer with a link To
the outside world.

If its micro news in Auckland
- telephone AK 491 012

.'o-wmbor. 1983 eirsaeyrrs

The link

with

DIALOG

By ROB FULLERTON
Information communicated over

the; telephone lines is the wave of the
future - the very near future - and
the owner of a microcomputer
system has a significant head start.
With the provision of a modern and
some software the personal or
business computer owner has direct
access to a storehouse of
information which evon the richest
library could not provide.

In New Zealand access to these
databases is usually made via I he
Post Office' CASIS service. This
service provides the telephone
connection between the elected host
computer system and the user and
covers access to Australia and the
United States. Access is also
available through the system to
British databases.

To connect your computer to any
of these romota databases you will
need a serial interface and a
telephone modem. The serial
interface converts 1he parallol data in

your computer to a data stream of
single bits which are then fed to the
modem which connects to the
telephone line.

Most business microcomputers
have an internal serial interface
available as an RS-232C output port
requiring only connection to a
modem. Personal computers may
have a serial interface for connection
to a disk drive which could be
pressed into use but most will only
have a Ccn.ronics-type parallel
output, usually used for a printer.
Several parallel-to-serial converters
are available c-ither as commercial
units or as hobbyist kits which can
provide the necessary interface.

There are basically two methods
of connecting a modem to the
telephone line: nodems and acoustic
computers (see article in this issue of
"Bits & Bytes" by Pat Churchill).

One point that should be noted is
the OASIS service is full-duplex and
some acoustic couplers as described
in popular electronics magazines
which require manual switching
between transmit and receive modes
will not work "in this application.

The connection to a modem
requires that your computer be
programmed to act like a terminal
with some special characteristics.

-'1 » W » HW X H» C M IO U *» WMHHM»WW -"-"-■

The OASIS service operates at 300
baud in a full-duplex mode find the
software must input and ouput data
at this rate. Package programs
enabling computers to act as
intelligent terminals are available for
most systems and popular computer
brands. An excellent article in
"Microcomputing" October, 1983,
by Geoffrey Sinclair, covers many of

the desirable features for terminal
emulators and lists 27 available
packa-ges.

DIALOG

DIALOG is a subsidiary of the
Lockheed Missile and Space Co. Inc,
and had its beginnings as a
specialised database produced for
NASA in die early 60's. Since then
DATALOG has "gone public" and
increased the number of databases
and subject coverage.

Today, DIALOG is one of the
largest public information retrieval
systems with a staggering volume of
literature referenced in over 160
databases. Every major field of
information is covered. from
business and economics through to

medicine and biosciences. There is

even a complete electronic yellow

pages compiled from all the 4,800
United States telephone books.

Two databases of particular
interest to computer buffs are the
Initio! Soitworo Database and the

Microcomputer Index.

The software database provides a
comprehensive collection of
information about mo-re than 10,000
computer programs specifically
dusiijnfid fur use with micros and
minicomputers, Each record in thej
database includes basic data on
whore to secure the item as well a
an abstract about the intende
purpose of the software package
Items indexed include compatible
computer typo {IBM-PC, VIC-20
APPLE etc), operating system
language, minimum memory an
distribution medium.

Microcomputer tndox is a subject

and abstract guide to microcompute
articles from 40 periodical sources)
such as 'Byte', 'Info World
'Personal Computing' etc. Included
are -general articles about the
microcomputer world, book reviews
software reviews, discussions and
descriptions of new computet
products. The file covers article
from 1981 onwards and contains
about 1 5,000 records at present.

Access

Assuming you tiave your comput

and modem set up the next step is
apply for access passwords

Peachtree Software

WORLD LEADERS IN OFFICE PRODUCTS SOFTWARE

P.O.P.S.* Introductory Offer

* The Peachtree Office Products System includes Word Processing (Peachtext),
Spreadsheet (Peachcolc - previously known as Supercede), Spelling Proofreader
(20,000 word English Dictionary) and Mailing List Manager. P.O.P.S. is now produced
in New Zealand to run on any CP/M machine and retail prices are as follows:

* Peachtext (word processing) $550 * Peachcalc $400

* Peachspell $350 * Peach Mail Manager S350
Buy Peachtext with Peachspell and Peacn Mail Manager - Save $150 - SHOO retail

* Buy Peachtext, Peachcalc with Peachspell - save SlOO - S1200 retail
Buy all four - save $250 - SHOO retail

"WU Ul~h PER PACKAGE

This coupon entitles the holder to a $50
discount on each Peachtree POPS package
where payment is made with order (Because of
expected demand please allow 4 weeks for
delivery of software and manuals). This offer
expires 30-9-1 983.

NAME:

POSTAL ADDRESS:

"PLUS m

$50 per package
discount when you
pay in advance.

Present this coupon at your
Peachtree Dealer or post
with cheque to:
MDL, 24 MANUKAU ROAD,
AUCKLAND 3

Peachtree
Software

PEACHTREE SOFTWARE IS

DISTRIBUTED IN NEW ZEALAND BY

AMOUNT ENCLOSED:

COMMUNICnTIONS

■ »M<»*1I HH¥ I IIU IMTHrlf H il nrtTI '■ —• V— -A-yn-oM— H H tut ' «»«ji>0!~«"«»-" » <«~w . *- '!-)"■ H I KI I IH W m *!

OIALOG. The first set of passwords
required is for OASIS and these are
obtained by writing to the Tele-
communications Division of the Post
Office in Wellington. The OASIS
service can link you to DIALOG via
two telecommunications networks in
the U.S.A. so you should request
passwords for both the TYMNET and
TELENET systems. This gives the
security of an alternative network
access should one system nest be
available.

The DIALOG password is obtained
free of charge by writing to:

DIALOG Information Services Inc.
3*160 HilU-iow Avenue.
Palo Alio CA 94304.

USA

While there is no charge for the
password, it may bo cancelled if it is
not used within six months.

To understand the operation of the
system and the commands
necessary for searching it is
advisable to invest in the "Guide to
Searching" literature obtainable for
DIALOG. This consists of a large ring
binder which contains an
explanatory text on the format and
function of each command and a
separate sheet for each database,
giving details of the subject
coverage.

The present cost of this literature
is SUS35 via surface mail. DIALOG
also publishes a monthly news
booklet giving details of any changes
or new features on the system. This
is posted froe to each registered
user,

Searching

Since DIALOG is most likely to be
used by people with little or no
computing knowledge the format of
an information search is structured in
simple English commands. Every
word within each reference is
indexed by the computer so that it
can be searched for independently.

A search consists of searching for
single words or groups of words
which convey the meaning of the
search topic. You can search title
and abstract words, name-s of
authors or corporations, dates,
codes, journal names or any other
Special portion of the record.

After completing each search the
system returns the number of
references which satisfy the search
words and gives a unique set number
to each. By entering further searches
a whole group of sets< each
containing the reference to different
topic concepts, can be accumulated.
These sets are then logically
combined using tho Boolean
operators 'AND'. 'OR' and NOT',

The result is a further set

14 - SojueniEer. I&83 - B*TSft BYtCS

containing the references which
satisfy the logical expression. These
references can then be displayed on
your terminal i* you wish or the set
can be combined with other sets to
create a complex search strategy.
The searching technique is
considerably easier to accomplish in
practice than i: is to describe.

For example, suppose you wished
to retrieve leferences from the
Microcomputer Fndex on

applications of tho Votrax speech
synthesiser cnip for tho Apple II
compuler. Tha first search, for the
word, Votra>, would retrieve all
references to that word and place
them in set 1 . Tho second search, for
Apple II, would produce set 2. These
two sets wojW thon be combined
with a logical AND to produce a third

set which would contain only

references to both words. These
would then be displayed on the
terminal or printed oBf-line al
DIALOG for later mailing.

Tho search would look like this
(computer response in italics)

Sel Iteow OevinMtoin

Su<(«l Votmx I Votrax

Solon Aci>loH2 126 Aw>»i> II

Comb no I

and 2 3 5 f ,<nrf 2

This last command displays sei 3
in format 5 on the terminal. There are
further powerful commands which

allow multiple concept scorching and
transference of searches from one
database to another without re-
entering, etc.

While DIALOG in Us present form
must really bo considered primarily a
research tool for libraries,
businesses. and academic

institutions rather than a service for
home computer owners, the
potential tiorkot in this area is
expanding.

To rnov-j into this area DIALOG
has launched its Knowledge Index
service. This provides low-cost
access to 12 selected databases
covoring & broad range of subjects.
The service is available to U.S. users
during cvo-nings and weekends, and
provides all of tho DIALOG features
at a flat rote of SUS24 per hour.
including telecommunications

charges. It is interesting to note that
billing is exclusively through credit
cards.

Changed your
address?

Please return your
complete subscription
label with the new
address marked on it.

Viewdata
and
the
micro

By PAT CHURCHILL

A database designed for the hobby
computerist could be a spin off from
the Viewdata system when it is
introduced in New Zealand,
according to Dave Richards, Director
of Telecommunications Services for
the New Zealand Post Office.

This has happened in the United
Kingdom. where the British
equivalent, Prestol, now offers a
service for hobby users, Micronet
800.

A subscriber, using his computer
keyboard and an acoustic modem
can call Micronet 800. enter his
identification number and thon be
on-line to one of tho world's largest
databases -

He can browse, learn, send
messages, watch demonstrations,
choose games and load free
software straight from the system
into his own computer.

In addition, Micronet BOO offers
more than quarter of a million pages
of Prestol information, giving fast
access to news, travel, holiday, and
entertainment information, including
an electronic booking service, plus
City and commodity prices which are
regularly updated.

Among the first micros which
currently access the system are the
BBC Micro. Commodore. TRS-80
models I and III, Apple II, RML, and
Spectrum. All tho loads, hardware,
and software needed, have bpon
offered at special introductory prices
starling ai around C49.0O. The
average subscription will be C13.00
a quarter, covoring both Micronet
800 and Prestol. plus the cost of a
local phone call to connect
subscribers to the system.

Games programs are changed
often and subscribers can choose
from about 100 compatible with
their kind of micro to load and use
when they like. There are also on-
screen games to play, plus big -prize
games and quizzes.

Other offerings Includ

educational programs. armchair
shopping facilities and electronic
banking, and a mailbox service.

COMMUNICATIONS

> •■""oaoflxnKWKTOOTMwawwttsonoww ***** wwmaom

And this, says Mr Richards, "is the
sort of development we can expect
to sec in New Zealand now thai
Viewdata has been approved and
one or two companies have started
setting up Viewdata services".

It shouldn't prove too difficult to
provide s home computerists'
facility, he savs. "They need the
programs, buf Britain is finding a lot
of people are happy to wrile the
programs and make them available
free of charge just for the thrill of
having a program they've written
passed on to other people."

The Post Office's involvement in
Viewdata is confined to
transmission, Mr Richards says.

"We'll be providing a Viewdata
access switch so that people can

access the Viewdata services. Our

part of it is more like a special
exchange designed to separate the
data traffic away from the telephone
network so we can carry it more
efficiently and reduce the chances of
causing congestion on the telephone
network,"

Mr Richards says there will be a
charge for the use of the Post Office
access switch, or rather the use of
the telephone network. This will be
1 cents a minute for calls within the
local telephone area, and 1 7 cents a
minute for calls elsewhere in the
country.

He sees the major consumer of
Viewdata initially as the business
community, but he envisages the
home computerists will eventually be
catered for.

And he feels the personal
computer will be widely used as a
Viewdata terminal.

"It seams to me a much more
attractive proposition to buy a home
computer with a Viewdata package
on it for $2000 or whatever they
cost than to pay out S60O or $700
just for a Viewdata adaptor."

Another advantage is computers,
being software programmable, can
be made to emulate either a Presiel
Or Telotel terminal, overcoming all
the standards problems.

While the technical specification
for Viewdata terminals hasn't been
finalised, Mr Richards says, it will
include a requirement for an
electrically coupled modem so a
good, reliable service will be
available without too much
interference.

He says the Post Office will be
ready for Viewdata services around

the beginning of 1984.

Home computerists will be keeping
their lingers crossed for a
development such as Micronet 800.

VERSATILE
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PRINTER

CHOI I CX4800

Plot graphs, Draw Cherts,

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Fo rrns t raclo r 9. S" w I de
Friction Teed A4/Guarto
Dual interface-parallel,

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Ex stock supply and full support from:
• Leading dealers throughout New Zealand
CED Distributors Ltd. Ph. 444-9003 Auckland.

• Sirius Systems Ph. 504-895 Auckland.
• N.Z. Distributor:

MICROCOMPUTERS

55 UPttA QUEEN STREET. AUCKLAND. P.O. BOX 68-474. AUCKLAND,
NEW ZEALAND. TELEX NZ61102 'DATASYS' TELEPHONE (09)793-619

TWA 2212
BITSSffSYTES - September, 1983 1>

communications

Beginning
about
to
start

By SELWYN ARROW

The Now ZGaland Beginning, a
dial-up database beginning this term,
will be able lo provide schools with
information and more than 1 500
Apple public domain educational and
general use programs, plus a large
quantity of Australian written
programs available here under
licence.

Installed in a Data Gonoral
MV6000 mainframe computer at
IDAPS Computer Service, Auckland,
this database is the first of its type in
New Zealand,

Mr Brjgn Eardley-Wilmpt, the
director of CED Distrainors Ltd. the
N.Z. licensee of the system says.
"The Now Zealand Beginning mav
well expand into other sectors in
time but initially it's for education,
and the opportunities for schools are
immense."

This notional database provides a
means to transfer programs and
information between anv school and
the database using an ordinary
telephone and an Apple computer.

Eight dial-in lines will be available
initially. The majority of users will be
in the Auckland area initially, but
with the packet-switched network

soon to be available from the Post
Office, other schools will be able to
gain access without having to make
a toll call.

To provide access lo this system
CED will soon be announcing an
introductory package designed for
the Apple computer (II Plus or ffe).
This will consist of an aCOuslie
coupler, an interface card and a
founder's subscription for one year's
use.

Getting on-line to- the database will
then require booting up the Apple,
dialling the telephone number,
placing the telephone handset into
the acoustic ccupler and then keying
in a password and an ID number
when requested.

Information and programs are then
selected and dumped onto disk so
that they can then be reviewed at
leisure. This is advisable as the
connection time cost is S15 per
hour, pro rata. With an average call
lasting about five minutes it is
necessary to use that $1.25
efficiently. Even so this adds up to
providing low cost programs and
information on demand.

The use of an identification code
means that orly those who know it
can transfer confidential data. This
transfer may be from person to
person or school to school. Another
option will allow anybody to leave
'Bulletin Board' information for those

who care to look it up.

This dial-up database will be 'usor
driven'- The users will decide what is
in it, not CED. Programs can be
added to the database at will so that
all may benefit from each donor's
efforts.

tttMKTOinww ............ -....•-rtwfrwewwHew.'

OASIS: a
pool of
information

By PAT CHURCHILL

Need to know something about
aquatic sciences, education,
electricity, mining, lighting, chemical
engineering, horsebreeding, cold and
tropical regions. . .anything?

Through OASIS - Overseas

Access Service for Information
Systems — subscribers can access a
wide range of computer databases m
Australia and the United States. And
your home computer could be used
a& a terminal to retrieve information
through this data communication
service.

OASIS can be accessed by the use
of a standard Post Office Datel
installation (modem and business
telephone) to which a terminal can
be connected.

Terminals used must be capable of
Operating at 300 bits per second (30
characters per second) using ITA No |
5 code iASCII code) with V.24
(RS232I data interface.

As an alternative to using a Datel

installation, OASIS can be accessed
by using acoustically coupled
terminals with the above
characteristics.

Once you have the necessary
equipment you make arrangements
with the overseas host computer
operator.

The Director-General at the
Telecommunications Division (Data

COMPUTER SOUTH CHCH LTD 78 Oxford Terrace P.O. Box 22713 Phone 60-504 Christchurch

The Human-compatible
Personal Computer

It took Epson to design a personal computer thai puts
true meaning in the word "friendly."

Big, friendly CRT display

Sculptured keyboard

Twin, super-thin flexible disk drives

Giant internal memory

CP/M operating system

Easy to expand further

Priced from $5120

COmpUTER^OUTH

16 - Sapiembci. 1983 - BITS & SvrfS

COMMUNICATIONS HRRDUJftfi€

W^vaVA^AVA

and Leased Services! at Post Office
headquarters in Wellington can
provide Tymnet and Telenet
directors which list data accessible
via those networks, and information
about Australian databases.

You must also register with the
Post Office as an OASIS user. This
can be done at your nearest
telephone services branch. You'll be
issued with an OASI S user-name and
password for each database system
involved and detailed OASIS
operating procedures.

Dave Richards, Director of
Telecommunication Services for the
Post Office, says OASIS is working
quite well and around 200
subscribers have signed up in New
Zealand.

"The communication charge is not
dear."

Calls to Australia arc 80 cents a
minute, with calls to the United
States 60 cents per 1 000 characters
exchanged, plus 20 cents per
connect minute, These charges are
included in the caller's lelephone
account. Charges for the use of the
database service are settled directly
between the computer operator and
customer.

"The database charges can be
quite expensive," Mr Richards said.
They could be up to $100 an hour.
"But if you're doing research, you
might be able to get the information
you need via OASIS in half an hour at
a lee of perhaps S20. compared with
three days' work via your usual
channels." In terms of your time, it
could prove a lot cheaper.

The Post Office is disappointed
that OASIS is so far a ono way thing,
no New" Zealand databases
operating, Mr Richards says.

Post your subscription

today

<.<.—*■„;■

Trade-ins:

bytes

for

bucks

By PAT CHURCHILL

As the homa-computing virus
creeps steadily through the country,
so the second-hand market grows.

Sometimes a person setting out on

hobby computing isn't willing to
invest a whole let of money in case
this proves to be an interest that
doesn't last. He buys a low-cost
machine that wilt enable him 10 get
started but soon finds he's hooked,
has outgrown his little machine, and
wants to move up.

Eighteen months ago few micros
appeared in tie classified ad
columns of New Zealand
newspapers. Tocay, it's a different

story.

Some people choose to sell their
old equipment fhcmselves, others
trade up at their dealers.

At Data Link in Wellington, tor
instance, sales ol second-hand
equipment are steady, according to

John Pitch forth.

Homo computerisls changing from
one brand to another will often Irade
in everything machine, printer,
software.

Others stay with the same brand
of computer, but trade in for it later
model. They are likely to stay with
their peripherals and software. Data i
Link- has been advertising'
secondhand Apple systems lately as
people move from their Apple lis to
the Apple HE.

Whereas a new Apple small
system will cost s4765, the second-

hand ones have been selling for

$2700.

With a second-hand car wear and
tear is usually evident you can see
the balding tyres and rust holes for
yourself if they're there. With a
second-hand computer are you likely
to be buying a pig in a poke?

Mr Pitchforth says computers last
a very long lime. "The meehnical
ports would wear out rathor than the
electronic components."

Data Link has its own workshop,
and, says Mr Pitchforth, local
components are usually used when
repairs are done. Experience has
taught which parts are likely to go,
too.

When it comes to bytes for bucks,
second-hand equipment can provide
the way for a person to afford the
kind of micro he wants.

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PHONES 583-57Q, 583-293

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MAIL ORDER
SOFTWARE

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ZX81

ZX Pilot

ZXMan

ZX Trek

ZX Penelrator

ZX Casino

ZX Word etc etc

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Chopper Raid
Space Maze
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Video &
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65 PITT St., AUCKLAND
Ph. 399-655

18 - Scptembiir 1983 - MIS &. BYTES

HARDUJAR€ R€VI€UJ

Dick Smith
VZ200:
good value

By ROB FULLERTON

Dick Smith Electronics has
released another personal computer
on the market to follow closely on
the heels of :he Wizard computer.
The VZ200 isos a Z80A processor
running at 3.58MHz, which must be
the fastest clock of all the low-priced
personal computers to dale.

The computer is quite small, being
only nominally larger than the
keyboard and 50mm thick. It comes
in an attractive white plastic cose

with the keyboard built into a sloping
matte black surround.

A power-indicator LEO is the only
other feature on the front of the
case. An on/off switch is located on
the right-hand side. Across the back
of the computer there are four
sockets for 9v DC power, cassette
tape, video monitor, and TV output.
There are :wo edge connectors
covered by protective metal plates
for the add-on memory expansion
and peripheral interface. Power
comes from a separate large plug
pack rated at 12v 1A. It has a
generous length of lead.

Also induced with the computer is
a lead for connection of a standard
audio cassette for program storage
and a lend for connection to a
monitor or TV. This TV lead is,
unfortunately, only long enough lo
reach to a jet placed on the same
table as the computer. Other items
included in the package are a BASIC
reference manual, a book of
application programs and a
demonstration cassette.

Keyboard

The keyboard is the same used in
the Wizzard computer, which is not
surprising, since both computers are
made by Video Technology, Ltd, of
Hong Kong, The moulded-rubber
keys are set in a QWERTY
arrangement with the standard
ASCII character set. Each key
performs tp to four functions,
including the ASCII character screen
printed on the keytop, the single key
Microsoft BASIC commands, the
cursor control, and the on-screen

editing.
The alternative functions are

accessible by use of the CTRL key in

nmnmwMMcitM

the same manner one would use the
SHIFT key. The single-word BASIC
commands are printed on the
computer above and below eacl
key. All keys except CTRL have at
auto repeat facility if hold down foi
more than one second. This is ven
useful for cursor movement.

Comments I made about thi
keyboard of the Dick Smith Wizzari
computer (Stts & Bytes, June), alst
apply to the VZ200. The longevity o
the screen-printed characters on the
keys and the long-term contac
reliability of the key switches remaii
to be proven.

Video display

The VZ200 can use either a colou
TV set or a colour monitor for display
as both RF and video outputs an
provided. The intornal RF modulato
is tuned to channel 1 . Australia, bu
The picture in N.Z. will come up or
channel 2 because of TV channj
allocation differences between thi
two countries. Some re-tuning wil
be necessary to get the best picture

The display area for the compute
occupies a rectangle covering abou
two-thirds of the screen. In the tex
mode there are 32 characters per lini
with 16 lines displayed. Even wit'
this smaller active display area th<
characters are sharp and easy t<
read. The stability of the picture was
a little disappointing, however, with
persistent diagonal ripples visible or
both the TV and monitor displays
The upper-case ASCII character set
is displayed and can also be set H
inverse video.

Editing

An excellent feature of the VZ2O0
is the onscreen editing capability

The cursor control keys allow you tc
position the cursor over any mistakt
in a line and then, by pressing"
INSERT or RUB0UT. change the
required characters. This saves
having to re-type the whole line!
again as with some computers. The]
auto-ropeat function is very usefj
here as continued pressing of thi
RUBOUT will erase as mani
characters as required. These cditint
functions rank as one of the mos
desirable features of this computer
especially for ihe beginner,

Graphics

Two display modes are available
text mode and graphics mode. In the
text mode, the ASCII character set
displayed as well as the 16 chunkj
graphics shapes. These character
may be displayed in eight differc
colours with a choice of l\

HfiRDUL)flR€ ft€VI€W

background colours. For graphics

mode the screen is divided into 128
x 64 pixels, each individually
addresssable. Each pixel may be
programmed on or off with the SET
and RESET commands. The pixels
may be any of four colours with two
background colours. The 8192
pixels displayed in the graphics mode
produce quite acceptable resolution
for games and data displays.

Sound

It is possible to generate sounds
on the VZ200 through the internal
piezo speaker. Control of the tone
frequency and duration is by the
SOUND command. Programmable
music notes covering Vh octaves
with nine different note durations are
available. The sound is very tinny,
and with only one channel it can
hardly be considered suitable for
"serious music programming" as
claimed in the advertising leaflets. It
is adequate lor games only.

Cassette data storage

For program and data storage the
V2200 provides a connection to an
audio cassette recorder. An
interconnection lead is supplied with
two miniature jack plugs on one end
end a stereo plug on ihe other. The
stereo plug goes into the computer
socket marked tape and the others
plug into the ear and mic sockets on
the recorder. A demonstration tape
comes with the computer which
shows off the colour and graphics
capabilities.

I found some diMiculty in loading

this tape as the volume setting for

The VZ2O0 with the 16K RAM expansion module

the recorder playback appears quite
critical for a successful load. There is
no provision fo* cassette motor
control. The difficulty is cured,

however, by putting a 1 5-0hm

resistor in parallel with the earphone
connection, i.e. soldering it between
Ihe two wires.

Five BASIC commands handle

storage and retrieval of data from the

DISK HOLDERS

Attractive holders for 5 ] A" and 8" disks
now available at competitive prices.

5 Va " $59.00
8" $72.00

Enquiries from retailers welcome.

For information contact:

Helena Carter

Telephone (04) 844-146

Send cheque to: VISION SYSTEMS LTD
P.O.BOX 11837
WELLINGTON

BITS Si BYFES - Seimwbo. IQ83 - l<J

HflRDUJARC R€VI€LU

nHMmM»MMrM«<>g<«MwiwD«iKi ."w^v^v^viwjiwww-n jj*jhjo> > ■ > m jm»«mw-«m <■>** jftn^wwrnM—MTti W E w « « «*w m «n «m » t»«m^"n» MM*

cassette. In addition to the usual
CLOAD and CSAVE commands there
is a CRUN command which works
like CLOAD+RUN.

The VERIFY command checks the
data on the tape against the RAM
data after a CSAVE. This is
particularly useful, as the RAM
contents are not overwritten and
another CSAVE can be given if the
first load was erronaous. Files on the
cassette are given a 1 6 character fike
name, so several files can be stored
on a single cassette and the required
file loaded by including it's file name
with the CLOAD command-
As well as commands to store
programs on tape there are two
commands, INPUT tt "filename" and
PRINT fl "filename", which allow
storage and retrieval of variables and
data from within a program that is
already executing. The data on the
tape is assigned to the variabfe list
given in the INPUT tt command.
Similarly, the variable list after the
PRINT tt commond is written to the
tape. This feature makes a very
flexible tape storage system and
with a little programming ingenuity
multiple mailing list programs and
the like should be possible.

BASIC

The VZ2O0 comes with an 8K
version of Microsoft BASIC with 8K
enhancements in ROM. This is an
excellent version of BASIC for such a
low-priced computer and contains
many of the features only found on
more expensive machines. For
example, enhancements such as IF
. . . THEN . . . ELSE and PRINT
USING are included as well as the
USETR function for machine code
programs.

The BASIC Reference Manual
guides the new user through the
fundamentals of the language and
explains, the use of each command
with examples. It cannot, however,
be considered a serious guide to
Microsoft BASIC and a user would
have to consult one of the many
texts available to obtain the details
of the language.

For instance, the published

specifications for the ROM BASIC
quote single-precision, floating-point
maths functions with nine-digit
internal precision and eight digits
displayed, I found, however, that
double precision was available using
the D format (eg. 1.2345D+31
instead of the usual E format (eg.
1.2345E + 3I and that results can be
calculated and printed with 16
significant digits. This suggests
there may be other enhancements in
the ROM which are undocumented.
20 - Sopwmbei. 1983 H ■ 1 3 6i BY ITS

Microcomputer summary

Processor:
Memory:

BASIC:
Keyboard:

Screen:

RP output:
Video:

Sound:

Cassette:

Power supply;

Manuals:

Z80A tunning at 3.58MHz.

ROM 16K with BASIC interpreter and operating system.

RAM 8K. (2K scFeen-6K for USQr prograrnsl.

Expandable to 24K, with optional plug in module. Price

$1'4S.

16K Microsoft BASIC.

45 keys in modified typewriter format. Keys auto-repeat

after 1 sec. Single key BASIC command entry.

Text Mode - 32 char, x 1 6 lines. Upper case ASCII plus 1 6

graphics characters for 64 x 32 graphics. Inverse video. 8

colours with 2 background colours. Graphics mode -- 1 28

x 64 pixels individually addressiblo. 4 colours wilh 2

background colours.

RF modulated signal on VHF channel 2. Cable supplied.

Composite video 1 .4v P-P. PAL .compatible. 75 Ohms

impedance.

Inbuilt piezo speaker. Music notes covering Vh octavos

with 9 note durations. Speaker "beeps" for keyboard

entry.

Interface connects to standard audio cassette tap<

recorder- Data rate 600 baud. Cable supplied.

Plug pack. Output 1 0v DC at 8O0mA.

User manuai. BASIC Reference Manual, book of sample

programs.

Memory addresses for the video
portion of RAM are given for text and
graphics modes. This enables PEEK
and POKE to be used for direct
screen addressing in graphics and
games programs. The INKEYS
command, which polls the keyboard
and returns the key value if pressed
or o null string if no key is pressed, is
a lurther feature which enhances
games software. It is unfortunate
that a complete memory map is not
included.

The greatest feature of a computer
with Microsoft BASIC is the
enormous range of software written
in this "industry standard"
language. There are many books of

programs written for Microsoft

BASIC including those for the
TRS-80 and the System 80. These
should proviile the VZ200 owner

with an extorsive software library to

adapt to his computer.

Memory expansion

The memory of the VZ200 can be
expanded frcrn its internal 8K RAM
to 24K with the addition of the 16K
expansion rrodule. This plugs into
the rear of the computer in the
appropriately marked socket. It is a
rather bulky package which relies
only on the edge connector lor
physical attachment. II the computer
is to hi* lilted it would seem wise to
unplug the module before moving to
prevent undue strain on the
connector.

The other connection at the rear of

the computer is available to accept
an interface for a Centronics-type
printer. This interface, with printer
cable attached, is obtainable from
Dick Smith for $99. The Microsoft
BASIC provides good software
interface for a printer as the LPRrNT
command can be used with the
USING command to give formatted
printing. As well as the LLIST
command is a COPY function which
allows the screen conte/rts«to be
dumped to the printer.

The expansion of the VZ20O is not
limited to a printer only. The product
leaflet quotes joysticks, games
cartridges, larger expansion

memories and serial and floppy disk
interfaces as "coming soon".

Summary

For the first-time computer
purchaser the VZ200 offers
excellent value for money at $349
for a complete up and running

system. The 16K Microsoft BASIC
interpreter has many enhancements
not found on other personal
computers in the same price range
The single key BASIC commands
and on-screen editing make it an
ideal machine for learning to :
program. The memory expansion to
24K and a printer interface make the
VZ20O a powerful performer. The
keyboard is definitely a disappointing
feature, however, this should not
prevent the prospective first time
computer purchaser from giving Che
VZ20O very serious consideration.

HflRDUJflR€ R€VI€W

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The I

Colour

Genie

By JAY D. MAIMN

Most users of r/ho

TRS-80/Sysiem-SO computers

would agre-e that their chunky black-
and-white graphics are not very
appealing. On the other hand, these
machines share an enormous base of
matured software that covers a large
range from business to gomes.

It must have seemed a clever idea
for EACA {the Hong Kong
manufacturers of she

System-80/Genie/PMC) lo build a
colour computer thai was like a
Svstem-80 with high resolution and
colour-graphics enhancements. They
have succeeded in producing a very
attractive machine.

The Colour Genie has a 64-key
board with lull dir actional keys,
another key to change from letters 1o
graphics characters, and four

programmable keys, tower-cose is
built-in, but the normal output is
upper-case and SHIFT brings lower-
case. Since this bug also occurs with
the original TRS-80,'System-80
computers, a software "fix" should
be possible,

I did not like the firm springing of
the keys, and was annoyed tha
keyboard bounce occurred on
several keys. On the other hand, key
layou* seemed reasonably logical.
while the separate REPEAT and
CONTROL keys were handy.

Sixty-four graphics characters are
accessible from the keyboard. These
comprise a well-chosen set of half-
circles, horizontal or vertical bars,
hollow squares, checkerboards, and
fine-line graphics. They can be
printed in any of eight colours.

My son was delighted with the
tanks, UFOs, screwdrivers, and
dinosaurs that he could draw with
these ready-made graphics. You can

program your own special 8 by 8
matrix characters - 128 of them in
addition 1o the 64 standard ones.
The colours arc not -stored with the
characters. That is, they will show
up on the screen in the- colour
determined by previous colour

m ry Colour

moiulot

2. Audio output

3. RF with sound modulated output -
any TV set.

4. £62200 software cartridges;
EG230O expander EG23 W disk
drives.

5. EG2016 cassette recorder.

6. RS232C serial pert - modem tor
t ehconim imitations.

7. EG20U light pen,

8. EG201 3 joystick controllers; parallel
port EG2012 Centronics printer
interlace - printer; AD/DA converter.

command.

On the low graphics page, located
at 4400H, you can intermix bolh
normal letters and these 192

additional characters. This display
has 24 rows of 40 characters each.
(The SET and RESET commands of
TRS-80 computers are not applicable
here because the old 3x2 block
graphics characters are not
standard.)

THE GADGETS COMPANY

seas "it

COLOUR GENIE

UtMONSl l«ll:D IN YCUU OWN I II M ( /UJCKI AND!
Box 52-OB1, Auckland. Phona 862-260

Wordstar Professional

Includes:- WordStar — Word processor

MailMerge — Mail list and file merging option

Spell Star — Spelling check option

Starlndex — Table oi Contents- and Index Generation

Price Only:- $ 1055 O0

Normal Retail Price when
bought separately $1 420.00

Contact: John Worthington

MicroAge (NZ) Limited

Available on:
CP/M-80

CP/M-86
IBM-PC

357 Hereford Slreet, Christchurch Ph 891-109

BUS ft BY US - SnnrorifiWf . 1 9S3 21

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An additional full graphics page is
also available, and can be software-
toggled back and forth with the low
page. 0r» the fulf page, resolution is
160 across and 96 down. New
commands, CIRCLE and PLOT, are
available. PLOT will draw lines from
multiple pairs of x.y locations.
MPLOT erases lines.

Four background colours

(including black! are controlled by

FJLL. while BGRD reverts to pink.
PAINT is supposed to fill outlines
with any of these four colours, the
edges being independently coloured.
I had some trouble with is until I
discovered that the edge colour must
match ihe foreground colour.

A completely different kind of
SHAPE tabls is used in the full
graphics page. By building up a byte
table that includes both colour and
directions, you tell the computer
what colour stylus to use and which
way lo move it. Only one shape can
be defined at any time (at least from
BASIC) but it can be plotted
anywhere on the screen and scaled
to various sizes. X SHAPE can bo
used to toggle these shapes to any of
four colours. This approach to
graphics is like that used by the
Apple computer.

Gun shots
and sirens
for the kids

Sound effects are generated using
the same unbiquttous General
Instruments chip thai is to be heard
on, say, the VIC. The three musical
channels are controlled from BASIC
using a PLAY (channel, octave, note,
volume) command. This PLAY
command is a nice convenience,
since it provides automatic
computation of frequencies.

Dedicated noise fans can drive the
Gl chip directly using "SOUND
register, data" commands; that
technique provides for the realistic
gunshots, sirens, wolf-whistles, and
screaming bombs without which no
household is complete. The sound
effects are modulated on to the
video signal and are normally heard
from your TV sot. A direct sound
output for a separate amplifier is
available at the back of the
computer.

Similarly, those with colour
monitors will find a composite video
signal available on the back panel.
The video modular box contained
four integrated circuits plus one or
two transistors, a nice change from
the usual cheap-and-nasty, one-

22 — SoptomDet, 10S3 - BITS S BYTES

Microcomputer summary

Name:

Manufacture!:

Microprocessor;

Clock speod:

RAM:

ROM:

Input/output:

Keyboard:
Display:

Languages:
Graphics:

Sound:

Cost:
Options:

Other features:

Reviewer's
ratings:

EG2000 Colour Genie

EACA International, Hong Kong

Z80

2.2 MHz

32K

16K

Parallel port (non-standard connector); one RS-232 poi

one cassette port; one composite video output; one direct

audio output port; one modulated sound/video por

(channels 2 or 31; one light pen port; one expansion port.

Typewriter style, 64 keys

Text/lower graphics page 40 characters x 24 lines; upper

and lower case.

Microsoft BASIC (full TRS-80 standard plus hexadecimal ol

octal numbers, renumbering, graphics and sound

commands); ZEN assembler cassette available.

Sx8 dot matrix graphics in eight colours on lower graphical

page: 160 x 96 pixels in four colours on upper graphics

pegs.

3- channels of tone, 1 -channel of noise, output either t<

external amplifier or via TV set.

$795.

Centronics Printer Interface with cable (5156); duaH

joystick controllers with digital keypads IS 189.50); light

pen; cassette recorder ($119,501; plug-in softwart

cartridges; " disk drives 150K (one including expander.

$985, two $1595, three $22701; soft ware/hard wa«

manual; dot matrix graphics primer 30 c.p.s. $012,50, 5(fl

c.p.s. $733.50.

Repeat key; mechanical shift lock; eight strings can b

programmed into function koys for convenient use.

Documentation 3, ease of use 4, language 4-1/2, value fo

monoy, 4 as hardware, 2 os software, Support, six month!
guarantee. Repairs In Auckland.

Rovhiw unit from Rekon Compmors. P.O. Box 9308. Auckland.

transistor circuit.

One of the games tapes provided a
good demonstration of Ihe machine-
code capabilities of the Colour Genie.
Waves of rabid moths circled,
dropped smart bombs both straight
down and diagonally, and finally
resorted to kamikaze dive-bombing
tactics. Each wave had its own
colour. Their angry humming
blended with the rat-a-tat-tal of the
defender's weapon, plus the loud
bang each time an insect exploded.

There is no doubt that the
hardware of this computer can be
used for some very effective and
enjoyable games, The available 32K
of RAM lets game designers exercise
their imaginations without having lo.
fit into a 'imited memory space. But
where will these game designers
come from?

The internal hardware of the
Colour Computer seems to be well
designed There is a separate power
supply with good heat-sinking,
alongside the single through-plated
solder-masked circuit board. Most of

the numerous integrated circuits am

standard LS typos with three 40-pin
chips: the Z80 microprocessor, a
6845 video controller chip, and the
Gl AY-3-8910 sound-effects chip
that also provides two 8-bit paraMt
ports. One of the latter ports is used
for the optional joysticks, or for 8
parallel printer. A piggy back boari
carries several EPROMS.

The optional joysticks

incidentally, are well balanced ant
worthy of use on a variety of
computer systems. A short ribbon
cable connects the joystick
"motherbox" to the computer; twe
joystick boxes rest on this box, o
else can be hand held, since thev
have coiled cables.

Each unit has 1 2 buttons 1 1 dig
plus two unlabelled) and the analog
joystick itself.

A new BASIC command, LE
A1=JOY2X, is used to read in
joystick value. Similarly, ill
pushbuttons are available with LEl
N1 -KEYPAD 1. Note that th
joysticks will not automatically wot

unbeatable features
at unbelievable Price

t '

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mnnnimnniiiniiiiiiiiiw

Colour Genie is now avaeable >n ftew Zealand ottering the home/business
■ .-■■. m ■ I ■ 'i •hishcajted computer with jftOCPU ond M stee type-w*n©r style-
Iti tyboard, a system of Immense power and llexibllit y at o lew atforaabie
cost$7°5.0Q

Colour Genie has as standajd a massive 32K !?AM-norrnalyavery
0X| ■ -naive extra lor rmosl home computers.

Colour Genie has considerable sollware already availaole and supports
the equipment to Translate trie vast itbrary ol TRS 80 programmes onto the
Colour Genie system,

Colour Genie comes with hill colour and extensive graphics; 28 pre-
defined. 128 user-del inabie. a lotdl ol 256 graphics sol, The ilgh speed
cassette interlace runs at i2QObcixl which allows Iftx to be saved in lOO

Colour Genie c an lake three disc -drives, a master with, expander andS*
boo' up ROM included and two addon drives, fach drive vv ill be single
density. AG frock wlh 150K Bytes lormotled-a total ol 45CK on disc and 32K
<?AW on tooc ft

Colour Genie '■ as Superb sourd which connects diced ty Id television or any

customchtp clows four argurrvenis;channol<l-3). octave

ill i
8).i : ■■ a arnpMuce -'S) >nacbltion.thofe»sokoaroiso

specai effects' ' channel

Specifications

Processor." Clock Speed . .' . RAM - POM lr*

Language ■'• ■■!• iMici --• ' Baud Pale, 12C< Sland<iid Accessories?

JsofsMau -oh i ' ■ ■ ■ VftxUt ' 'ope CassettefiG ■ ■-.:■ aftnei tor Coble
Video.- 'in- ■ ,viii inarnodulali i 'i m* TexHrlodtHastmngc usi ■

Darvonc OW" ■!■■

Display <l I .' : -i :i. . v, ,-i... Resolution K uPbplKOti
Koyboaid l,-|i< .-_- - 1 r - - ■ - i,|. /■ i i ,- V> . v w .' ■ ■:■■: with repeal key ana cursor

ontroikoyi IPn | imi ipIq ttflnKevsa ■.'.■. -gSaoatcoteao piog*tiinmobla

I llli ti ■

I/O Ports -.. i : i. 1 1 -. r 1 . ■„ :•'.■.■".'■. port, one ;«.»© pari, on Vid< ■.■■.';. il
ROf'oneAtidi u'i .':■.-' ieWl - - in^ modulated output i irr,one ihlpenparl

"| : i' ..hinyi

APCDEFOH

ITKLHNOP

Q STUVUX

Optional Accessories;

■ J>DyrlickConlfciai(0ot)- orila-.ii

I . Ilfl i .,■: ■..-,

| -. -I- .-,-,,;. C.I., . .,, ■

i ..'•:- Woiiermve l& ■

t ."■-!. iMoiiei o»iwj «ji<0' <:o.: -j" a iwin

'<: a* '■ ' -

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i . -.. tottwan i/i m .■. ■ Manual

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$<»ft SOO

. 595' C
S676 )

!■■!■

$fc»TO

UoaiQf enquiries w&corne

Available now at your local dealer or
call collect the New Zealand distributors

lor details ot a dealer near you

Rakon Computers

Dealer inquiries welcome

9-Gecige Street. Mt taea PO. Box 03O8.
Auckland. Telephone 604-35§/oCO-421

BITS li BYTES :■ i"-ni ■, 1983

HARDWflRe Review

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The Colour

Video

(continued)

wilh any game program unless that
program specifically checks for 4
joystick input.

The tape recording format has
been changed. Tapes SAVE and
LOAD at 1 200 baud. Both the EACA
tape recorder supplied (not very
impressive, with an inoperative latch
and an invisible tape counter) and my
12-year-old portable tape recorder
loaded without a hitch. Contrast this
with the worried, prayerful attitude
ol a typical TRS-80/System-80
owner as he 1ries once again to load
his favourite game without incurring
a "C" error.

Hitch in
using TRS-80
software

Now the bad news. Because ol
technical limitations with colour TV
sets, and because of ihe improved
graphics, most of the machine-code
games for the TRS-80 will not run on
the Colour Genie without significant
modification.

Purely word and number-handling
BASIC programs will work with little
or no changes. This ought to ensure
that Colour Genie owners will never
run out of programs. It is not possible
to read a "standard" 500 baud tape
with the Colour Genie in its present
form, bu t the New Zealand agent,

Christchurch BBC's

In the last several months several
Christchurch schools have swung
sharply towards BBC micros, Wall
reports. (This includes the country's
biggest secondary school, Burnside

High.) "Although the general mood
is one of caution, and Apples still
have the widest market penetration
it is significant that those schools
which have decided lo invest in a
major installation have all decided on
the BBC.

"Once one or two more major
purchases have occurred. BBC's will
approach 'critical mass'. So many
schools will be using them and
pouring energy into making them
effective teaching tools, that other
schools in Ihe Christchurch area
would be foolish to buy a large
system of anything else,"

21 - SepTenibci, "»83 - BIIS&SVIES

Rakon Computers, now has available
a utility program (priced at $44,941
which will alow the Colour Genie to
do this. It wilJ allow some
compatability between the Colour
Genie and Systeni-8G7TRS-80
software. In addition Rakon
Computers says it has 50 plus
programs already available for the
Colour Genie.

There is not really enough
documentation lor the Colour Genie
at present. Two manuals were
provided with the machine. The first.
a Beginner's manual, was top-notch,
and got a new user into operation
immediately.

The secord manual is a reasonable
reference guide to BASIC and to the
Colour Genie enhancements.
Unfortunately there is neither a table
of contents nor an index, so its utility
is limited.

Eighty-twa pages are devoted to a
rehashing of the Microsoft BASIC,
which is common to Ihe older S-80
computers. It might have been wiser
to include one ol the better TRS-80
user manuals so that the Colour
Genie manual could have
concentrated on changes and
enhancements. Instead, only 33
pages are devoted to the graphics
and sound commands.

The manual descriptions

ahemselves are very good, with
numerous examples. I "found myself
slumped for quite a while with the
SHAPE programs on pages 101103
until I realised that the expanded
memory on machines imported to
New Zealard means the Shape Table
has to be poked into BFOOH
M 66391 irstead of into 32 512 as
per ihe marual. That son of error has
no business in a book meant for
novicesl

A third manual, with technical
information, is promised, and I would
strongly urge prospective purchasers
to insist on having it before parting
with their money.

I have very mixed feelings about
the Colour Computer. The hardware
is excellent, the graphics characters
ore varied, and the full graphics page
could perhaps give Apple a run for its
money. Btt the engineers made it
awkward lor the computer to access
a wealth of TRS-80 software.
Someone could adapt the older
software base to this new machine.
In the meantime, prospective
purchasers ought to look carefully at
the software actually available.
Those whe are anxious to write their
own programs will find in the Colour
Genie a well designed computer with
both interesting graphics and a fine
BASIC language.

BUSIN6SS

Microsoft's
Multiplan:
powerful
and useful

BY PETER BROWN

Microsoft Corporation, of the
United States, is well known for its
BASICs, versions of which are found
on many popular microcomputers.
With the advent of Multiplan they
hove launched a major attack on the
applications software market.

Multiplan is an electronic
spreadsheet designed to assist those
engaged in producing mathematical
models that need to be powerful and
sophisticated lo be any good at all.

Like ell such worksheets,
Multiplan presents the user with a
large work area marked off into
squares (or "cells") that are
identified by column-row references.
The computer is used to replace
paper, pencil, eraser, and calculator.

Each cell may contain either a
value (which can be textornumbersl
or a formula which manipulates such
values. The spreadsheet may be
formatted in a number of ways for
reports, etc. and can be used to
examine various outcomes of

financial, engineering, scientific, or

statistical problems.

Once you have loaded your
spreadsheet software into the
machine, you can design almost any
sort ol model your imagination can
come up with.

Usually, you will start by labelling
various rows and columns (e.g. by
calendar month, or by expense, or
revenue item), and then constructing
formulas that relate the items to
each other and to other data you will
input, This is the hardest pan and it
is well worth taking great care to
prevent problems arising later.

Then you can enter your data and
•watch as Ihe machine calculates Ihe
consequences of each entry.

When you have entered all the
basic information, you can change
values, or formulas, and the
spreadsheet will automatically re-
calculate the effects of your
Changes. You can do this over and
over, until you have results that are
satisfactory.

With the calculating power of the
computer to help, this work can be
done in minutes - rather than days|
(or weeksl with a paper spreadsheet;

Multiplan is the latest in a long iinel

BUSINESS

IWVW4Wv»va -J.-.-.

of electronic spreadsheets - a line
that began with VisiCalc,

Like all spreadsheets, Multiplan
provides basic formatting and
arithmetic functions that cover most
routine tasks. And, like most, it has
trigonometric functions, as well as
the ability to apply logical tesis to
select outcomes from alternative
events.

With Multiplan, however, a
number of additional features are
available, including a standard
deviation function, some strong
manipulation facilities, a sorting
command, and one or two quite
advanced mathematical functions
for the specialist usor.

In fact, Multiplan's whole setup
seems to be aimed ot highly skilled
and professional users. Despite
claims to the contrary, it is not
suitable for those with limited
experience of this sort of package.

One of the most interesting
features is its ability 1o link related
worksheets so that material from
one can be used automatically by
others.

With this you can, for example.
build regional reports on separate
worksheets an<l combine their totals

into another, national, worksheet for
monthly or annual reports.

Another useful ieaiure is the
sorting capability. With this you can
sort rows or columns Into ascending
or descending order, regardless of
whether they contain text, numbers,
or a mixture.

This can be an extremely powerful
tool in the right hands (as can many
of the other features!, but great care
must be taken since the formulas

Software summary

Program:
Made By:
MZ Agent:
Hardware required:

UBflS!

Price:
Documentation:

Ease Of use:

Facilities and
functions:
Value for money:
Other cgmments

Multiplan

Microsoft Inc., U.S.A.

Armstrong and Springhall. Wellington.

Apple it. Olivetti M20, or any machine with CP/M.

Also available for MS-DOS.

Budgeting/financial planning, statistical applications,

project evaluations, etc,

$400

Not good. Most things are covered but not always, as

clearly, or as thoroughly, as is desirable. Tutorial

section of the manual is too primitive to be much use.

Gets bettor with practice, of course, but use of

ordinary English and extensive on-line "Help" menu

are very helpful.

Very wide range of functions available.
Very good.

Extremely useful piece of software for those who
already have the skills to use it to maximum
advantage.

underlying the spreadsheet are
sorted, too, and some editing may be
necessary to ensure the logic of your
model hasn't boon sorted as well!

As far as the user is concerned,
Multiplan provides a number of
helpful facilities to make life easier.

These include prompts in ordinary
English; protected cells (so you don't
aecidently overwrite something
vital!; a 50-page on-line (i.e., in the
computer) "Help" menu to get you
our of most problems with
commands and functions; the ability
to name cells, either individually or in
groups — thus Idling you use
meaningful references in your
formulas instead of the usual
unintelligible gibberish (e.g. "gross

profit" instead of R21C131; and
excellent control over printed output.

VisiCalc fans are especially
catered for by Multiplan. There is a
provision for VisiCalc files to be read
directly by Multiplan, although, of
course. VisiCalc files cannot be
written direct from Multiplan,

There is also a symbolic link
(SYLKI file formal which allows data
interchange with other application
programs. Multiplan files rnay also be
written to disk in such a way that
(hey can be accessed by, for
instance, a word-processor. .

Getting started, however, is not
easy with Multiplan, While no great
knowledge of computing is
necessary, some background will be

Systems

'? Manukau Road

P.O. Box 9645, Newmarket

AUCKLAND

Ph. (09) 504-895 (3 lines)

THE MIGHTY MICRO

!il [S & JV

SoplomCer, 1983 2b

SINCLAIR

largest source
ofTRS-80
Software in
Australasia

And if you think that's
impressive, wart til]
you see the catalogue

But low prices are only one
feature of our new catalogue. We
think you will start using il as an
invaluable reference tool. 270
programs, 80 pages.
And that's not all.
As we publish new software we
send you an update. Our offer is
to keep you abreast of new pro-
ducts, new services and our
regular special prices.
Fill in the coupon and return it to:

Motymerx Lid.
P.O. Box 60152
Tltlrangi,
AUCKLAND
NEW ZEALAND

Tel.: (8 17} 4372

Please send LI copies of the
Molymerx Software Catalogue.

Ploaau use BIOCK CAPITALS

ACdress

Zone

o:ickp.<; $

@$4.50pe.' copy

fuiWrwnttrniettiafKcuta Aarchwfc. Acen. &o f vU.C.AU,

A J. Ha Jf i ei. tfc'uon ICR f iiiii-iiMll. LogcalS)tl*ffil

Mtao Syvunn SoKw»c. WutAaa UaoSyS'«m&.

A byte calculator

Here's i ZX81 program thai will tell you how many bytes are used by a
line of program, and also allow the comparison of an alternative
statement. It was written by Ken Allan, of Wellington, and his son,
Nicolas, oi a ZX81 with 1 6K RAM, but it works equally well on 1 K. It can
be modified provided no changes are made before line 100, and lines 2,
6, and 8 are entered exactly as shown.

S
10
15
17

30
40
50

RANDOMIZE

LET A ■ t

PRINT CLEAR

LET X « [NT<RN©(1>*79+1>

LET Y = INT(RND<1)»23H>

LET A - fit* I

IF A » I THEN

PRINT CHRft<27> I ■ I 32m"
|F A = 40 THEN

PRINT CHR*<27> I -t31m"
IF A = BO THEN

PRINT CHR»(27> ; "(33m-
IF A - 120 THEN

PRINT CHR*(27> i "t34(n"
IF A » 160 THEN

PRINT CHR*<27> i M35m"
IF A = 200 THEN

PRINT CHRK27) f "[36m"
IF A = 240 THEN

PRINT CHR»<27) ; "137m"
IF A ■ 200 THEN

LET A -
PRINT CURSOR<X,Y) t CHRK154)
GOTO 10
END

CHR«(135I i CHR*<7)

BUSINESS

useful. You will need on intimate
understanding of your problem and it
will help if you ara familiar with some
of the more advanced functions, and
their uses, or you will not be able to
use the spreadsheet to Its greatest
advantage.

For a beginner, the manual
provides no real assistance. There is
a tutorial section but it is very
primitive, aid I doubt whether it will
instil the confidence needed to
successfully tackle, unaided, the
more advanced features which are
found in tha reference section. This
is unfortunate since these- are what
make Mulihlan worthwhile,

Apart from this, and a number of
minor niggtes such as having the
columns labelled numerically instead
of alphabe ically (as is usual) -- I
found Multiplan a powerful,
sophisticated, and useful tool lor
professional users. It's the type of
program you graduate to after you
have "cut Your teeth" on something
less sophisticated, but easier to learn
and use.

There are versions of Multiplan fo'
most machines, particularly those
with CP/M. There are also versions
adapted to specific hardware, such
as the one reviewed, which was for

AVWIT«HUVYAAV^A/VttV>W4A^

the Olivetti M20. Depending on your
luck, however, you could have
difficulty tracking down a suitable
package. It does not seem to be as
widely available as might be
expected.

Prices vary but about $400 is
usual,, depending on your machine.

The review copy was supplied by
Paul Messervy, of Armstrong &
Springhall, Private Bag, Wellington.

last in the series of
reviews by Peter

This is the
spreadsheet

Brown, He'll soon be back with more
business computing articles.

THE GADGETS COMPANY

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This paper was written jointly by Paul Vincent and Allan Clarke. Paul
Vincent is head of mathematics at Wanganui Girls' College, but is spending
1983 at Woikoto University as visiting teaching fellow in computers in
education, Allan Clarke was in charge of the academic school at the Royal
New Zealand Navy's trafning establishment, HMNZS Tamaki, before being
awarded a Defence Fellowship to develop a computer-based teaching scheme
for the Defence Department.

Towards
compatability
in school
software

In January of this year, the
Department o! Education announced ils
decision giving locil recommendation ol
(ho five following microcomputer
systems: Apple II, BBC Micro, BMC 800.
NEC PC 8001, Poly 1.

Some secondary schools have
subsequently purchased one of the
systems alter conducting then own
evaluation of their perceived needs. It
can thus be seen that lor the next lew
years at least, these microcomputers will
co-exist in New Zealand secondary
schools and eventually will bo used in
other schools. Virtually the only looturo
common to all machines is tho use of the
BASIC computer language, but even this
exists in a different dialect for each
machine.

A\ present there is no way by which a
program written (or one machine may be
used directly on any of the other
microcomputers. In the Performance
Specifications 11982) it was stated that
courseware (educational software and
associated written material) would
originate within the Department but until
this happens and is proven, schools are
limited to any commercial courseware or
software (computet prcHjramsl available
for their particular model and to
programs written by teachers.

It is widely expected that the
microcomputer will become one of the
most powerful teaching aids yet devised.
This destiny has yet to bo fulfilled,
however, and Moursund (1979)
succinctly summarised tho barriers to
their wider acceptance and fuller
utilisation as:

A. Lack of sufficient and adequate
hardware.

B. Lack of appropriate software.

C. Lack of appropriate courseware.

D. Lack of adequately trained teachers.

E. Lack ol adequate support from school
boards, parents and taxpayers.

While the indications are that tho firsi
barrier is being breached, the others
more or lass remain intact four yoars
later and the microcomputer now
occupies the position which. 12 years
ago. was held by electronic hand-held
calculators, namely that of a fascinating
il somewhat expensive electronic tool. A
comprehensive survey of the literature
reveals that there has been little or no
progress in computer -based teaching in

the last five years.

li car be oven saiJ thai there has been
no significant, cont'ibution to this fieJd
since the advent o r the microcomputer
eight years ago. In tho current tiroes of
economic difficulties, any proposal lo
overcome more of the above factors
must ol necessry not impose a
continuing drain on precious school
funds or on the State education vote.
This paper proposes o solution that will
only incur momina expenditure while
greatly increasing the range of
courseware available to all schools
regardless of the brand of computer used
or in the size of the school.

To bo efficient as a teaching tool,
computers must have a continuous
supply of educationally sound
courseware. Commercial courseware
suffers from tho following
disadvantages:

A. Il >s expensive.

B. Frequently written for oiliar-
lli.ni iv / schools.

C. Often educationally unsound; e.g. do
not roteach whei a student orror is
detected.

D. Mostly available only for one of (he
approved machines.

E. Unable lo be edited if compiled
(translated) by the machine Into
machine language} or on protected
disks {unable to Lo listed or copied).
Steinberg CI 953) slated that persons

who have taught thetargel population in
an interactive dialogue mode aro the
ones bost qualified to judge the
suitability of courseware for that group.
A corollary ol this is thai persons who
have so taught the tirget population ore
best qualified to wide courseware for
them. However, it is observed that
relatively few teachers are actively
engaged in writing csmputer software.
They have first to know how io
program efficiently and socond know the
special features ol their particular
microcomputer. Currently the

programming process is extremely time-
consuming 110-50 hours or more for a
half-hour program) and the final product
is invariably machine specific. Thus,
contrary to other computer applications
where processes are made easier, more
efficient and much faster, computer
teaching program preparation is a much
more tedious and difficult task. A
satisfactory systen for providing
courseware for schcol needs therefore
would moot the following criteria:

A. Be inexpensive.

B. Follow N.Z. curricula.

C. Be written by tea<hers (preferably).

D. Be able to be written quickly; ideally in
no more time than it would take to
prepare on ordinary lesson.

E. Evaluated for educational soundness.

F. Be portable !able io be transferred to

and run on any approved system).
G . Be free from copyright constraints.

The following proposed system
satisfies all bar one of the above criteria.
Requirements for evaluation and
portability dicta to that there needs to be
some form of control clearing agency for
courseware.

It is also necessary thai one of each of
the live microcomputers named by the
Department is held by this agency. The
four stages of courseware handling
would oe:

A. Evaluation by an expert panel of
course ware/sol I ware submitted by
teachers.

B. Transfer of software from the
machine foi which it was written to the
other four machines.

C. Editing of software to suit each
particular system.

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Software
compatability

(continued)

Programs would be evaluated by an
expert panel of teachers convened from
schools )'■ the vicinity of (he contra!
agency and, if necessary, returned to the
author for program editing. On
acceptance, iho software would bo
transferred to each of the other
microcomputers by means of a
procedure developed using a
VAX'U.'VMS mainframe-type installa-
tion as a host computer lor Ihe transfer.
A member of the unit responsible for this
system (at the University of Waikato,
say) would then edit the program as
necessary to make it work well on the
particular microcomputer(s) with which
he/she is familiar. The coursowaie would
then be available at a nominal fee (prtce
of a disk or cassette plus a handling
charge! to schools on request.

It has been suggesiod lhat the author
of a teaching program should recoive a
small fee when the program is accepted.
If only ten per cent of secondary schools
in N.Z. were able to submit two good"
programs each yoar. (his would make at

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The factors thai prevenl a computer-
based lesson from being prepared
speedily are currently under
investigation. A substantial

improvement in mo time taken to write
computet lessans is nevertheless
expected if the software procedures
described: below ore followed.

Other fields in which computers have
the promise of doing mote educationally
than is possible at present arc continuing
education, second chance education,
retraining, correspondence schooling
and education of the hanoicappod ,
However, a successful scheme of
computer basfd education for the
physically handicapped In particular
would depend upon a freely available
supply of up to date software Such as
that expected to be created fo* ordinary
schools.

Software aspect

Software iortabilily may be
accomplished in one of three ways.
These methods are presented in order of
desirability, although die naluro of the
program being SOtWertad will dolevmino
which method Is best.

1. By usln-g an authoring language.
Existrng autho'ing languages may be
regarded as simplified methods of
piogiamining which require the use of
only a limited number of elementary
commands. Thiir intendod purpose is to
unable touchers to produce professional-
looking software without necessarily
having any expertise in normal
programming. These authoring
languages have the limitation of beiny
essentially textual in nature, only
offering simple graphics facilities and
often unable to Fully utilise the
mathematical (unctions available 111 the
computer.

However. Ihey can normally provide
multiplo-choice answering facilities and
ere often able to maintain records of
students' answers.

A considerable amount of software
can be produced by moons of such an
authoring: language, e.g. PROFORMA
(created by Or John Collett, of the
University of Waikato) or PILOT. It would
be necessary :o find or create a suitable
educational authoring language and
produco a version of it for each of the
five recommended microcomputers.

Software produced in this way
involves the creation of a text or data
tJi&k |jlr» which would be entirely In
machine-independent code (the words
and symbols used in programming;.
Versions of these text or data files
produced by the mainframe Iransfer
process [mantioned above) would
operate without requiring any sort of
modification. The author language
master program is simply loaded inio the
computer; it will then operate upon the
required text or data file to produce the
desired result.

2. By using a standardised coding
format. This concept involves writing as

much machine-independent code as
possibles, to reduce the work of
conversion to a minimum. The resident
language in each of tho five
recommended microcomputers is
BASIC, but ibore are a numbet o*
differences in each version which tend to
thwart corn potability. However, it is
hoped that o standard version of BASIC
will emerge within the next fivo years
and bo universally implemented.

At present about two-thirds of a
program could be written in machine-
independent codo. which would form the
first part of the program. When a disk or
cassette is produced for a particular
machine fusing the mainframe transfer
process), this portion would normally
remain untouched (except for minor
changes to cater for Poly 1 artd Apple III.
Tho remaining portion of the program
would reouiie conversion, but much ol
this work would involve the substitution
of standard routines which could simply
be "merged" into tho program. The
major task would involve (he rewriting o'
any graphics routines which are used.

3. By recording a non-standardised
program. This would bo extremely time-
consuming, particularly if Hie original
program is poorly coded, but may be I he
only practical way at present to transfer
some types of programs, especially in
the mathematics and science areas.
Generally, complete rocodinpj would be
requiredl for each program, but one
benefit of this method Is lhat it becomes
possible to tako full advantage of each
machine's unique strengths and to avoid
any of its weaknesses. However, it is
difficult to imagine the effective
implementation of this option unless
suitable persons aro specifically
seconded for the task, and it would seem
that the amount of software requiring
this sort of conversion would bo
relatively small.

Recommendation

Tnat a microcomputer cenital clearing
agency he established to:

• Hocoive and evaluate non-copyright
educational software and
courseware.

• Transfer software to each of the other
four approved microcomputers and
edit as required.

• Distribute courseware/software
schools On request.

fWwtncM

Oflpti'ifirant of Education 1 1 9831 •■Mi«'0wmp*w
Equipment lor Sacondmy School-.".
Fllo No- 34/2.70. 2G January. 1983.

DfrpitittMAi of education (19821. "Vieieeanpuiw
Eqiwiici (w Seconoa'y Fducenot*
Cflt'ormanco Sp«w:ittcatio-V" CSO

Ihilofenco No. 1982'03.

MojisuixI 0. 09791. "•Mlcrocompulum will r

Solve the Computers m hliittiion
Fioottrn". AEDS Journal. So«ia)
■SSuo: Micioccmputcs: IImjm

Sottctftn and Application m
Education, ndiced t>y H. Van
DuwoJdoip unit tt.W SpUCk, 1311)
197B.

Stcmtwig E.fl. ■ i ' i h -t i "Reviewing IhM inywuciional
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wnip" Educational Tecnnolonv,
January 1 9 83.

IU&J BITS&BYTEi

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Promoting

computer

literacy

schools

By KEN RYBA

Perhaps the most important
impact computers wilt make on
education is to show us how Mule we
really know about teaming and
teaching.

Fortunately, there is a growing
shift away from the limited view of
computers as advanced teaching
machines towards more powerful
ideas concerning the role Of
computers as instruments of
personal learning.

Computer assisted instruction
fC AH in particular has done much to
highlight the probable limits
of programmed instruction

approaches and the tendency
educators have to oversimplify ihe
learning process.

It is reassuring to note the recent
view that learning) is more likely to be
effective when children are put in
control of computers rather than
being controlled by computers. The
main theme is that children should be
able to use computers in some
meaningful way to explore and
extend their own learning. This
changing trend has resulted in a
great deal of attention being given to
computer-literacy programmes in
schools.

Recently. I visited a large number
of computet-education projects in
Canada and the, United States.
Everywhere I went it was evident
that a major revolution was
underway to develop computer-
literacy as a core subject area in all
school grades from kindergarten
through high school.

I feel compelled to use the term
revolution when describing these
developments as many important
and rapid changes were occurring.
Many school boards are investing
heavily in computer-literacy training
for teachers wilh recognition that
teachers will require the skills,
attitudes, and resources lo develop
their own school-based

programmes.

Typical of the many developments

which are occurring across Worth
America, the San Mateo County
Office of Education in Redwood City.
California. has established a
Micro computer Resource Centre for
teachers. There, a variety of
microcomputer* are made available
for use by teachers in evaluating and
previewing various types of
software. Teachers are free to try
different types of computers and to
gain experience through courses
which the centre offers on
programming, computer literacy, and
leaching with computers. Public
domain software which has been
donated by firms and schools is
available for teachers to copy free of
charge for use n their classrooms.

Svjch a comprehensive service as
this helps to ensure that computers
will be integrated into schools as
rapidly as possible. There has been
rapid growth i-n the private sector
with the establishment of many
computer-education consulting firms
(.usually cx-teachersi who typically
offer such seivicos as computer-
literacy training, advice on selection
of hardware and software, and
discount deals on computer
systems. The rush is on, schools
eagerly seeking to become involved
in the computei revolution.

Universities arc getting in on the
action as well by launching
computer-education courses and
degree programmes for teachers.
Interestingly, the universities were
not particularly well equipped to
meet these low demands for
courses so have seconded many
school teache'S With computer-
education experience to teach.

At the University of Calgary,

for example, the Continuing
Education Department offered a
basic computer-literacy course 20
times per week along with many
other special st courses for
administrators, special educators,
primary school teachers, and so on.
Generally, it seems that anyone with
computer-education experience is in
demand at the moment, having a
near-endless stream of opportunities
to engage in contract work. Many
school boards in Canada and the
United States have created new
positions for microcomputer

specialists to guide the introduction
of computers irr.o schools.

The rapid and widespread
attention given to computer-literacy
in education became particularly
apparent to me through o conference
1 attended in Hertford. Connecticut.
The conference, sponsored by the
Council for Exceptional Children,
was concerned with uses of

microcomputers in special

education. Originally estimating that
1000 delegates would attend, the
final number of participants swelled
to 2500 special educators, all eager
to extend their own skills and
knowledge.

Events such as these underline the
enormous impact computers are
having on all areas of education. I
talked to many people who at their
own expense wore seeking to
improve their own level of computer-
literacy, viewing computers as a vital

new pari of education.

The abova comments are not
meant to impress or bewilder but to
underline the enormous importance
attached to the integration of
computers into education. School
boards overseas are moving rapidly
as passible to develop computer-
literacy programmes on the basis
thai this kind of literacy is vital for

equipping children wilh Ihe skills,
knowledge, and attitudes they will
need to meaningfully participate in a
technologically advanced society. It
is worrying that New Zealand has
not made this commitment to
computer-literacy and thai the over-
all impact of computers on education
has been much less evident here
than in many other developed
countries.

Our Deportment of Education has
been slow to respond to the rapid
developments with computers in
education, but has nonetheless
recognised the importance of doing

something.

The Minister of Education, Mr
Wellington, set up a Consultative
Committee on Computers In
Education during late 1981 to

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consider some possible coutses ol
action. This generated lots of ideas
on the subject but in practice very
little has happened. A tew other
reports have been released by the
department offering general advice
on the use of computers in schools.

I find it worryin-g, however, thai

many senior education officials
themselves lack computer-literacy
skills and are not realiy in a position
to offer advice that can lead to action
decisions. I'm not intentionally
pulling these people down but
simply suggesting that they are often
oui of touch with developments.

Computer-literacy is an intellectual
and affective process. Putting it
more simply, people need to learn
how to operate and use computers
(intellectual! and to feel in control of
computers so that they can use them
in some personally meaningful way
(affective! . The interactive nat ure of
modern technology makes it
imperative that we develop
computer-literacy skills and attitudes
by placing people in control of
computers.

It concerns me that the

Department of Education continues
to put so nuch emphasis on
intellectual tidbits such as computer
awareness while placing less

importance on the need to put
children in control of computers.
"Hands-on" computer-literacy

programmes are needed to help

ensure that children can use
computing power for themselves.
The question that remains to be
answered then is how wo go about
creating the kind of computer-
literacy programmes we urgently

need.

Best come
■from the
'front fine'

Overseas experiences have clearly
shown that the best and most

effective computer-literacy

programmes are developed in the
"front line" by computer-using
educators. It makes little sense to
have policy decisions passed down
by head office when in fact we
haven't even done the homework
needed to translate these policies

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into practice.

Progress towards computer-
literacy is most likely to occur as a
result of efforts by keen,
knowledgeable, and motivated
teachers. I believe that we need to
identify and employ these people
now to prepare curricula, to organise
and provide in-service training. W
consult schools, and generally to
assist with improving the over-all
level of computer-literacy in schools.

This will require a positive

response by the Department of
Education in providing the facilities,
release time, and other

arrangements needed to flet these
programmes underway. We stand to
benefit as well from the direct advice
and guidance of overseas people
who have the demonstrated
expertise in the design of computer
literacy programmes. Direct links
need to be established with
organisations such as the

International Council For Computers
In Education, which, under the
direction of Professor David
Moursund, ai the University of
Oregon, offer resources and services
to promote computer-literacy in
schools.

Within the Department o*
Education at Masscy University we
are attempting to bridge the gap
through offering both internal and
extramural courses on computers in
education. Recently we held an
extension course on computer-
literacy training for primary school
teachers which was oversubscribed.
Plans are underway to extend these
courses to intermediate and high
school teachers, tertiary educators,
and administrators. Other

universities are yelling in on the
action as well. Mention should be
made of Dr Pip Forer, at the
University of Canterbury, and Dr
Larry Nelson, at the University of
Otago, who both have made
significant contributions to

computer-literacy in New Zealand
education.

Perhaps more than any other
technical innovations, the computer
revolution has trie potential 10
increase the distance betweer
developed and undeveloped nations.
There is little doubt that New
Zealand will have to follow overseas
trends rapidly or run the dange< of
being left behind. Our ability to take
part in the electronic revolution will

be a function of the type of computer

education that we provide for all

people - but more importantly our

children.

(Dr Ken Ryba is a lecturer in

education at Massey University.)

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Pionrlcfl-Hall Om noimol \u\ca S22. 30

How lo Wftlo a Computet Pioytnm: Vol 1

TRS-80 Ed EdFoulh

Svu oui *ai.n! *tiiipln (BChlvqu** lor rtoa'** Alv«bi|>iiw>ni.

Fault clf«f« nd miatanWfl »r »%* <•.••■ v. '■• » "wpO'

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Introductory

Basic Computing

A Complete Coumu Tim Crnwlortl

Piovtcinn a iKoail-lrawnl HltlodUBflon 10 COrnpulPi nGbitu-«
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MastorlngCamputors G.G.I. Wright

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Miaooom
in Plain f

Microcomputers in Plain English lor
Now Zoatnndor*. Bilun Strong
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Hardware

Don't, or How to Cnie lor your Computer

Rod no y Zaks

rV> oki|>, eftlMUMQ ff«di 10 «WM»l and |-i tm

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Microcomputer Design And Troubleshooting

Eugene M.tfumchah

- !!■■-!. r/irry USIH'C' Ol mici«<vuti|iulfi( OCrtlcn <io»i ll'iH Klfit

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Keyboarding

Quick Keyrjoarcliny Vonnte A loinndcr

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KcvlKHtiJlna (or Information Procossinti

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Applesoft BASIC

A Toach Yoursoli Intradncilon Bat'lo M. Poako

A tnamwl toi No.v ^onliiiiMi ■. ol HltiintngDAGIG *lth

'I 1 * *P| u »i >n»iii«d ol (itr*i^«''oiin»tliwi riiMiMAi>o> thioo li
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Discover FORTH: Learning and Prngroinutlnt)
Hut fORTH LiMigiiBge Thorn Huy^n

tm«ncoiriainiwiiiit<i.>i
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Program Your Microcomputer in BASIC

Polar Goslimj
Mo mv-ix. keoi«tr<ife ol COnu«tiig i> »inn» !*■■
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Inskle Basic Games

A ruiimtoolAI-iriloranyoniilmp-irKC'c.iivt.v.ihi The
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Word processing

The Tendorfoot's Guide to Word Piocotsing

BaitiJraClinl.iiii

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li .ii ■■ I. : in i .i hi to Word Processing Hal Gtai/ei

Wlk-r i woril pitKriwr X iVui ■ ekes II.*: H I
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Atari

Somo Common BASIC Programs; AIju-i Edition

LonPoolooinl

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BASIC E<oicls os lor the Atari J.P. Lamoillor

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01 THE
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Commodorti VIC 20 Don Monro

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Commodate 64 User's Guide

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DaM Baso Management Systems: A Guide 10
Microcomputer Software David K tuglin&ki

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EXCITI .

Boolean Alijeliia Hr Compuier Logic

Harold E. tnnos
Kno«Vod0D u( Iiool0i»ii aloolva la a mult <oi anyami
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rvKoccxwrw

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Businessman's Guloo to Mlciocomputers

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Ronl time control wrli ilio TRS-SO Russel Genet
Itolin plun and develop a iaai-tuna dnto loqgmq or nonsrtt
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Int induction Io Eloc:ronic Spaoch Synlhosls

Neil Scla tor

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■indcam 1 honttspoanl

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Foitli Programming Leo J. Scanlon

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Microcomputer Math
61

IMS

William Garden Jnr

i bv itsp initodaclsm to amnrioilc opoiaiiDni en at

nl miciot. Covait binary, octal and hnaatlflcaiiai

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Assombly Languoyo Programminrj lor Iho BBC
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The 68000: Principles and Programming

Leo J. Scanlon

An iniioUuclion and full detdoiion at ihn highly compto*

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i-.ir.iru Ii. Srarta rtlth fundamental mdinu.il anrl i; -wluallv

•"•.reduces ra>ai<; irr.-iWiol Topic* in an ordsriv marviar.

Soma Our price 322.75. Sawe$1.20

and earn 2 bonus points.

BITS & BYTE.S - September, 1983 33

th* ens ft Rvres flooM auo

Books for the buff

Tho Alien. Nurobeecater and oil>e< Programs lor
Personal Computers With Notes on How They
Warn Written John Race

Dt lUoo hM dattttd *0*r* m*'Mf>ng ant unoM**'.
0.«ir*ri l« «-. CooMSMtola PET 2001 3< . H*. ru* »tt*l !li<»
p-ojiwit. but. ifoki tinpoditm. hua (lm«J«il tire nay "»"
r.-c>3i*p>* wi'ir CrxlDouQ. polwon uui Ilio lotlvtlnje v <•'")
prtfaEt. Jod «<*"** p-cn*«I * *OfcA« tuWl loi ftW WH !o
ilnvgn kiu Aiim oarniis and oinc-r p-ogtama fc Mmie't a
boo* (01 iho«nirn<*iasi r»i»in> ihnn the Imvuoi Piopama
u'laMt lo« Corwr*<Io* M.

Wocin.ri.in Our prico $12.32. Savo 66c

anil nam 1 bonus point.

PET Fun anO Cantos Jolfrios and Fisher

Snlociod Cursor Piocramn
V»«r iMn 30 gani -r.J i>u»lct. tderf art 'torn iron »»"(•
I»»nn y*»* iftswts of "Curiar" nr.iajr.rro \V» imi an n»,y
mOQol G-nwoaom PET or COM Ihti ouinm Incluihi Zap,
SltaiV. Damon. (Mbis. Dunucart, Vultlrou. Mud l»o umrlpt,
.KKJr Ha.*. Bo., end Mima

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Doing Business wllli Pastel

Richard nnd Douglas HBigorl

GU.«a iho ou-Mnu !"«»* lo Aiflna conpleto tusirwng
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biaidu ut*s ir*uii-i iM«vj!i *w [noB'tmiii such nn venay

U Mle w WOI 3F«flO XWrt> ftttfrW) ¥T"i *n*V»
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IBM

Business

Inventory Manngomenl lor Small Computers;

Chuck Atkinson
A o>W"J i>i«t TO(i'-fn*nnj»mc"il yjitotti. tM'li-i n C BASlC
:i 'I ru vn>j urnta C -M iflfrrmm ikwitAivo ra<|jVna 37K
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Mnslorlng VI sJCnkc

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Wttivtr eolh lor nOAComor* 10 wo to>oadi*tt» proijr in Ma
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Using Vour IBM P er serial Compul oi Lftft Paolo

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Sinclair

Your Time* Sinclair 1000 and ZX8!

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The Slnclali 2X80 Programming lor
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Aims to di->otop m ia-« itvdet an "Ktrnsii n r>o«->g Ifr ZXrtl
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r-oi-dnu Zxai ana ZX SfAi.Vun iMnara wrlh "ol iikt pto"
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Software tapes available

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BBC

H. i.n Programming on (ho BBC

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BACK COPIES

TO CLEAR ISSUES 3-7 NOW $1 EACH

(all other back copies $1 .50 each)
Major articles in back copies included:

Nov Rcvnr.vofBiJCcoinpjter una

Issue 3 Mtcmjirofeasof 1 , start, of series on

Eelectng a micro I or a small

business. fe*.i»i_-i? on

microcomputers fry Bcraun.t.rjnts.

Dec/Jan ftevievVOfTnS80Cor»irQynfKiter,
Issue 4 Ieacu"o on larm computing,
ftdvcnuice compj^r Qames.

Feb Hand-lielrl rornputer fcuilure. reuww

lESue 5 of Sinus 1 an;i Epsnn H X-2Q, start

ol (firming and education columns

March Hevievy? of MlmrqCeo, Hitachi PearJi
Issue E and Apple HI

April
lr.sue 7

May
iGsue 8

JtrT«

iBsue 9

July
Issue 10

Auuu&t
Issue 11

fleww ol JBM PC N EC PC 8000 aiul
Now JfeotDaTtcf mode ajis^ clnves 'or
System 80. Nuw Soitl column.

Computers n lw5a'««s ftr«lure
RoviBv; of Commodore 64 .

GuOe to farm BO*lw«e. review's ol

Olivctu M20, Dicfc Smith Wizzard.

VleCQlC

ftevievra of Spcctrur-t. BWC 300.

Supsrcolc, Compvit*! MbUu printiir.

Surt ol Mbcrobee cohimn.

Reviews of Sard M5 . Franklin Aco,

iVinraesmann praiier. CalCslar.
VVordprgc<!SSioci feature. Start pf
Cr.TimixJore 6*1 caliimtv

Please note issues 1 and 2 now SOLD OUT

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Snpi.imbw. 1983 BITS fi BVlES

6DUCRTION

Video-tape
on LOGO
available

By MIKE WALL

Christchurch Teachers' Collego
has produced a video-tape about the
use of the LOGO computer language.

The first 35 minutes is divided Into
five episodes, each dealing with a
group of elementary graphics
statements. No computer knowledge
is assumed, and each episode
finishes with a simple exercise for
the viewer to do.

Once a teacher {or pupil) has
viewed the tape and done the
exercises, ho or she should be able to
define and edit simple procedures
using the graphics commands (or
moving forwards. backwards,
turning through an angle, and
travelling through arcs and circles.

Nested procedures and procedures
involving repetition are dealt with,
but the tape does not introduce the
use of variables, and makes no
mention of the statements for
manipulating text.

Once the vocabulary section of the
tape is completed, it is followed by a
separate program which explores
some ways in which LOGO can be
taught to a class. Starling with a
simple target - shooting exercise to
familiarise pupils with angles and the
size of the screen, the construction
of a "turtle-typewriter" is
demonstrated and discussed.

In this typewriter project, pupils
define procedures for nil the letters
of the alphabet, starting with the
"level 1" letters like*H, I and T. They
proceed to harder ones like K and
then on to ones involving arcs like R.

U and B.

The most difficulty is encountered
in letters such as Q and G and a split
arc method is demonstrated for
them. Once all the procedures are
entered, it is possible to use them for
typing enlarged text on die screen.
The finished product could be used
lor doing television titles.

The Teachers' College designed
the program to be a training resource
for teachers, but it has also been
used quite effectively with pupils.

CED Distributors has offered to
subsidise the copying ol the tape for
schools. II you would like to get a
copy, send a VHS video cassette
with space for an hour program, witli

a school order form to:

™- vteM/irm-/rj. *". '.tr/t '!: .:'l.:;iw--r".-""-^—-"*" wstvi " * WWW

4VWWAV.YMV

LOGO Tape,
Television Department.
Christchufch Teachers" College.
PO. Box 31 065.
Christchurcri-

The normal lee for copying a

program of this length is S15. but
with the subsidy from CED, schools
will be charged $10, including
postage.

The copying effer does not apply
only to schools: if you have your
own VHS video recorder, please feel

free to send a cassette. The copying
fee for private users will be Si 5.

Evaluation unit

The surprise arnouncement in July
by the Minister of Education that a
Computer Development and
Evaluation Unit »s to be established in
Wellington should be warmly
welcomed by all teachers involved in
computing.

The unit will be si ailed by two full
time officers and extra teachers with
special expertise in different subject
areas will be called in where
appropriate.

Its purpose is, initially, to evaluate
software for school use and provide
guidance in computer-related
curriculum areas. Finance has been
made available for the purchase of
computer equipment and software.
Users of the less common computers

will be ploased to know that there is
enough loot in the kitty to buy one of
each of the live recommended
machines. However, what the
department is hoping is that ihe
distributors will lease their machines
out at highly use'-friendly rental and
so allow more money to be allocated
for purchasing or developing
software.

This is the sort of high-level
support which has been badly
needed, and although the proposal is
far from lavish in financial terms,
mighty oaks from little acorns grow.

Because no official funding has
ever been made available to schools
for the purchase of computers, some

rather unfortunate side-effects have
occurred. The one that bothers me
the most is that schools have got
used to the idea of software being
(roe. As long as this attitude prevails,

distributors of software are going to

be wary of investing much time and

money in projects that teachers are
only willing to look at.

Throwing a bit of money into the
pot is bound to lubricate things

considerably and the fact that the

money comes from the Education

Department and not irorn the PTAs
of New Zealand will please everyone
involved.

We are Australasia's largest
supplier of apodal purpose
and scientific sort ware for

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PlTS&ft*US Soptewbc. 1993 35

L€TT€flS

Southland
school shows
the way

Dear Sir,

It is apparent from an article In
your "July" issue that there is a
general lack of awareness as to tho
present use of computers in primary
schools. Perhaps the following will
interest you.

Children at the Cofac Bay School.
Southland, have had extonsivo
experience with computers for two
and a half years. In fact, each child
has some daiJy contact with at least
one machine,

Each pupil from new entrant 10
standard four has a personal disk
with Apple programs ono side and
BBC the other. These contain a
variety o1 learning programs, many
of which are automatically updated
as improvement occurs. Even five-
year-Olds can work independently as
they only have to insert their disk and
switch on - although small group
work is the norm. Their attention
span is far greater than for any othor
area of schoolwork, and does not
decrease over a long period.

Il is now possible for small children

to interact with a computer without
using the keyboard. The keyboard

has obvious disadvantages —

1. Small children are not at all
familiar with the capital letters
which are on tho keycaps.

2. The letters are arranged
differently 10 the order in which
they learn them (i.e.
alphabetically).

3. The children ere so slow at in-
putting their responses as to
frequently lose their train of
thought.

I do not believe that the present
generation of primary school-
children wilt ncee keyboard skills —
note the Apple Lisa Mouse concept
and the rapid progress in voice
lecognit ion technology -- and to Ibjs
end I am writing and re-wnting
programs which jso —

1 . A voice synthesiser to give verbal
instructions and ask questions.

2. A light pon for inputting,
responses.

These are ve/v easy to use with
the BBC and these facilities together

with its large colourod leitors mean
that small children con use compgter

THE N.Z.

COMPUTER

GAMES CLUB

CALLING ALL HOME
COMPUTER and
HOME VIDEO GAMES
SYSTEM OWNERS

MEMBERSHIP OF THE N.Z. COMPUTER GAMES
CLUB MEANS YOU CAN:

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2. Hire games on a weekly basis at a fraction of their cost
and exchange for different games when you wish.

3. Purchase games by mail from the largest selection in
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Fill In The Form Below For Details Of Cost, Titles Available Etc.

Post to: THE N.Z. COMPUTER GAMES CLUB.

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Address

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Principal,

Colac Day School,
R.D. 1.
Riverton.

SORD MS review

Dear Sir,

In his otherwise excellent review
o* the SORD M&, your reviewer,
Chris O'Donoghuo, apparently
became so engrossed in BASIC-G
that ho made several factual errors
concerning other features of the
system, For tho benefit of your
readers, 1 would like to correct those
now.

The cassette speod of the M5 is
not 1200 bits/second but 2000
bits/second. Despite being fastor
than any oiher homo computer, tho
M!> doe$ not require o ' 'special" tape
recorder lo bo used.

The BASIC-G, &ASIC-F and FALC
cartridges all have additional RAM
memory as well as 16K (not 8K as
staled) of ROM. Your reviewer
complains that tho FALC table size is
only 60 linos by 8 columns. In fact,
FALC tables can be up to 200
Characters across or OS many as 99
lines long. Furthormoro, FALC can
handle (wo of these tables in
memory at any one time.

In h»s comments on
documentation, the reviewer
mentioned that it was basically in
tutorial form with a statement
summary at the back of each
manual. He went on to request a
syntax and usayje reference for
experienced programmers, which is
precisely what the "statement
summary" supplies.

Finally, although SORD's

80-Column graphics printer will be
available, the M5 standard inierfaco
will support any parallel printer
without further upgrade items being
required.

Apart from these few blcmishos.
Chris's review was a good example
of tho professional standards which
are sadly lacking in some other

reviews I have seen.

Yours faithfully,

Peter J.M. Hyde

SORO Computer Corporation

Post that

subscription

today

• ScpMrnbet. t933 - BUS A BVTES

HINTS

h imiwu n &a™a*w&^M*M>^*to*x*r^ t *ntnm i M t w^rmw >r.

— "«wO«

Applying
logic to
the facts

By PAUL BIELESKI

These tools (see panel} do not on
their own account tell you what the
error in programming is. but they
help confirm (or deny) any theory
that needs testing. More important
than the use of ihe tools, is the use
of pure logic. Bugs can bo winkled
out by pure reason from the lacts.

To apply logic to ihe facts, you
must establish what the facts are,
even to the point of actually writing
them down. Note what is both
correct and what is incorrect. Note
what is present in the output, and
what is not present. All this
information tells you something
about what the program is actually
doing.

To track down the bug site you can
use iwo approaches, one from the
front and one from the real. In the
frontal ottack, the old standard
technique ol hand -simulating the
computer action is required. You
must be careful to follow the
computer instructions rather than
write down what you planned to
happen.

Information collected on what has
happened, and what has not, should

confirm what you work out by hand.

If it does not. you are coming close
to the bug. What you calculate to
happen and what actually happens
should match. The lact that this is
different from what you planned and
expected to happen identifies the
bug. Often this approach will only
take you so far with a lack of useful
output.

Rear Attack

The alternative approach is from
the rear. In this case, you work from
the wrong position you got to, and
reason out how you must have got
there.

Perhaps only one or two logical
conditions direct you to where you
know the program reached from the
external evidence. Then each
condition that could send you to this
point must be examined by logic to
establish furthe' conditions.

Mo doubt those conditions wore
not expected in a correct run so that
you must continue to reason back

Tools for the

de-bugger

Last month in "Bits & Bytes", Paul
Bieleski described some of the tools
used i>> debugging. These included:

• The trap, the triggering of an
invalid operation, such as division by
zero.

• Tho dump, tlie listing of memory
on the ptiirter.

• The trace.

• Tho spy, code that sends out
information from within a program.

This month the subject is
debugging strategy.

through the program as far as
possible. If you get back to a point

where you have external evidence
contradicting tha logical deductions
you must have traversed the bug.
Remember to use the negative
evidence as well as the positive.
Sherlock Holmes was a master al
this.

If a reasonable amount of effort
working in the two directions does
not reveal the actual bug, then at
some point you need to invoke one

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ol ovt tools lo gather further
information. In your examination of
the program in both directions there
must be some information you lack
in order to know exactly what
happened.

An appropriate trace or spy should
be used to confirm logic paths and
variable values. The skill comes in
knowing just how far to go with hand
simulation and logical analysis before
it becomes more efficient to do more

runs with your debugging tools in
place.

Practice will help, but don't expect
to be able to make the right decision
all the time.

Do expect to always track down
the bug. Often it is the only way you
really learn what each language
construct really does.

Eureka! And
you've
loused it up

It is really quite satisfying to track
down a difficult bug by this

methodical approach, rather than
become desperate by experimenting
with variations in the program in the
hope that the bug will go away.

There is a danger in catching the
"Eureka Syndrome", in which the
analysis brings you to the sudden
realisation of the bug's cause and
rush into a quick change. Tho error
that gave you tho bug should be
checked against the evidence to
make sure it is the actual cause of

the problem. In finding a bug you
may have missed the bug.
It is also important to examine the
whole of the program particularly in
parts you have not reached for other
cases of the bug. If you make a quick
change only to arrive at another case
of ihe same bug it is so annoying.
Debugging takes time, so it is always
worth that little bit of extra effort to

Birs&BYTfS - Sco!-o»btic I9R3 37

HINTS

SP€€CH SVNTH€SIS€fiS

gel ii all right.

Avoidance is the obvious cure, but
how do you <io that? As
programming skill increases, the size
of program you can write bug -free
increases. It is helped by knowing
the language really well so that you
are never in doubt as to what it will
do in any circumstance. Experience
makes you familiar with ever-
increasing blocks of reliable code for
information manipulation. However,
for everyone there seems to exist a
size of program whore bugs will
usually occur. The trick is to make
Ihnt very larga.

Structured programming is a
technique that is designed 10 make it
easy to wrile correct programs as a
matter of course. It also makes it
easier 10 analyse a program lor a
bug. This is especially true ol the
backwards analysis from a trap|>ed
bug.

Given you know the language, and
use structured program units in the
correct way {onh/ one entry and one
exit from a structured code block) it
is advisable to program

conservatively when approaching
your critical size of program, by
building in aids such as traces, spies:,
and end-of-job dumps to your
programs as a matter ol course.

|t wouldn't be a bad idea it every
serious programmer kept a log book,
much like the pilot who keeps a log
book of his flying hours and
experience gained in different
conditions.

A note of errors made and the
experience of hugs caught could be a
help in ovoidinq a repetition ot such
mistakes.

■

Making
your
micro talk

By SHAYNE DOYLE

Having recently had the
opportunity to compare directly two
different speech synthesis units,
both using the Votrax SC-01

phoneme synthesiser chip, the
following observations may be of
use to those contemplating getting

into this area of micros.

Ono unit was the "Electronics
Australia" Compuvoice. featured as
a do-it-yourself project in the
October and November 1 982 issues,
and also available in kit form from
local Dick Smith retailers for
SNZ150.

The second unit was the Microvox
synthesiser, O'iginally designed by
Steve Giareia for "Byte" September
and October, 1982. The kit is
available from MicroMint in the
States for $US215. By the time it
arrives in your eager hands, it wili
cost about SNZ400-450, In terms of
facilities and use ot the SC-01 chip.
these two units represent the top
and boitom ends ol the do- il-yourself
speech-synthesiser scene (for
Voirax SC-01 devices only!.

The "EA" kt otters a cheap way
of experimenting with computer
speech generation, and is controlled
through a Centronics-type parallel
interface. It in:ludes an amplifier to
drive a speaker, but does not make

use of the inflection conirol signals
of the SC-01. The clock frequency
can be varied, however, and this
gives some degree of manual conirol
over the pitch of the speech.

Generating fixed speech Irom a
program is simply a matter of
LPRINTincj the appropriate string of

phoneme codes to the parallel port.
To experiment with text to speech
translation, it is necessary to write
your own program to perform a
synthesis by rule analysis of the
character strings typed in.

Microvox, on the other hand, is a
stand-alone microcomputer

dedicated to speech synthesis. It is
in effect a general purpose 6502
micro with a speech synthesiser
attached as a memory mapped I/O
port, and with a 6K byte text to
phoneme translator program residing
in Eprom. It has both parallel and
serial interfaces, the latter having an
adjustable baud rate from 75-9600
baud. It can operate in four different
modes: text to speech, text to.
spelled speech, phoneme codes, and
sound effects/music. The user can
simply switch between modes at any
time by sending the appropriate
control codes, and thoy can be mixed
in a single statement.

Operational paramcteis directly
controllable by the user are:

• Syndironisniion of speech with
what is being displayed on the
host computer's VDU.

• Phrase terminaiion it will not
translate into speech until
designated phroso terminating
characters are received.

• Intonation lor inflection) a

special intonation algorithm is

included and you may select flat

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punctuation.
• On line/Off line allows it to be

attached in parallel with another

device such as a printer, but not

speak everything sent to the

parallel port.

I found the speech quality from
both units very much dependent on
the spelling of the word typed in.
That is, as far as text-to-speech is
concerned, the user should converse
with the machine in a phonetic
language. Ii is quite often necessary
to experiment with different
phonetic spellings of a word to
obtain an acceptable auditory result.
This also applies when encoding, pre-,
set speech into a program.

Tho Microvox produced better
more easily undestood speech, no
doubt as a result of the flexible
control over the SC-01 chip, and the
built-in text translator program.

In my opinion, the microcomputer

user who wishes to effectively use
speech output as an adjunct to
normal computer/user commun-
ication, would be advised to obtain a
unit similar to the Microvox -■ the
extra money is worth it. On the other
hand, the dedicated experimenter
who wishes to explore the texi-to-
spoech translation area would
probably be happier with the
Compuvoice unit.

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BITS & BYTES - SoptGinber, 1983 38

TRS80/SYST€M 80

SPECTRUM SOFTWARE

FROM BUG-BYTE (U.K.)

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machine code
programming

All run in 16 or 48K

Available from:-

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Wellington

Please send me:-
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I enclose Chequer
Postal Note I ! Money Order
forS

Name

Address

Colour,

sound

card

By GORDON FINDLAY

Wouldn't colour be nice on your
TRS80 or System 80? Wouldn't
high -resolution graphics be nice?
Wouldn't a soihisticaled sound
generator bo nice* There have boon a
lew add-ons like this, and now a
locally (Christchuxh) produced add-
on, offering all these things, is being

marketed. This s the Graphcard.
designed and manufactured by
Jenson and Parr.

Because this card is likely to be of
interest to a very large number of my
illustrious readers, I felt that a review
was worth while. Let me hasten to
point out that I have absolutely no
connection with ihe designers, and
that if r decide to get a card, I'm
going to have to buy one, just like
you. I do like it - very much. It's a

remarkable product.

The Graphcard functions as a
colour graphics terminal. Your
regular monitor is used for
programming, and running

programs, in the usual way. Colour
output is produced on a colour
screen, which may be a television, a
PAL monitor, or an RGB monitor, as
you wish. This separates
instructions such as RUN Irorn the
output being prodjeed, game being
played or whatever.

The Graphcard allows eight
colours, at any point ol the screen.
There are three possible resolutions,
or size of the graphics blocks
("pixels"'):

• 92 x 64, wilh 8 pages;

• 184 x 1 28. with 2 pages;

• 184 x 256, with 1 page.

In the first two modes, the pixels
are square, in the third they are
rectangular, twice as wide as they
are high. All eight colours are
availabJe at any point on the screen,
in all three modes.

The reference to "pages" may be
new to you. The effect is that in the
first mode there are eight screens, of
which only one is displayed at a time.
But any of them can be drawn on.
without the result being seen until
that particular screen is displayed.
This allows the program to display
one page, while writing on another.
Rapid switching between pages is
possible, to produce the effect of
motion just as a cartoon does. The
demonstration program I saw used
this page swapping to produce a
very rapid journey through a maze.
This was programmed in BASIC, of
which more later, but certainly
looked as fast as machine code does
normally.

Text may be written on the
graphics screen, in a wide variety of
sizes and in any colour.

As well as the eight colours
provided, many moro may be
obtained by mixing them. This
mixing seemed to be virtually
unlimited.

The Graphcard is a single printed
circuit board, which is attached to
the host computer by a
16-conducior ribbon cable. In the
version I saw, the cable was
soldered to IC pins in the computer.
Production versions, it is to be
hoped, will use clip loads, to avoid
soldering.

The Graphcard has a speaksr, but
no enclosure or power supply. The
power supply needed is 12V at 500
milliamps, and this must be well
regulated to get good colour. You
can buy a suitable power adaptor for
about $40. or build one if you like (a

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circuit diagram is provided) for less
than $ 20.

Graphcard will work with any
computer, as only a few general
purpose signals are required to be
provided the data bus, three

address lines, and address-decode
signal, memory write, and zero volts.
No dowqi is -drawn from the
computer itself. It is readily
programmed in machine code, but
for the TBS/System 80 machines,
comes with a very clever extended
BASIC. This comes on a system
tape, at no extra charge, and gives
the following additional BASIC
instructions:

GSZE sets the size of the

graphics dots {"resolution").

GDSP serects the page which is
to be displayed.

GWRT - selects the page which is
to be drawn on.

GCLR - clears the page to any
colour.

GPMT plots one or several

points, in any colour.

GLN'E draws any number of
lines, from point to point.
This can be used 10 draw open
shapes in one statement.

GPLY - draws, and fills in, a
polygon with any number of sides.

Gf XT prints text, anywhere on
the screen, any colours, any sizo.

GSHP — used to change the shape
of tha letters used to write on the
screen! You can change the shape of
the letter "E" if you like.

GSND • makes a sound. This
statement has parameters lot the
channel, Hie period of the tone
and/or noise, the envelope and the

Growth area

8y far the biggest growth area in
business computers is in micros,
according to a national survey
conducted in May by the Wellington
management consultants, Arthur
Hoby and Associates. The survey
covered 1600 organisations

employing at least 10 people or with
a turnover of $200,000 a year.

In the new business micro market,
excluding "home" computers, the
leaders are listed by the survey as
Commodore, Apple, Canon, Sord,
and the TRS-BO.

The survey found that while
Auckland, Wellinigton, Chrislchu/ch.
and Dime-din accounted for 87 per
cent of mainframe installations, thoy
accounted for only 43 per cent of
micro locations.

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volume.

These statements each have
parameters. For example, to plot
three points in yellow, you might use
the statement GPNT 3; 7,12;
25,35; 89.67. The "3" selects the
colour; the other pairs select the
point (s) to plot. The parameters for
each statement, and the
punctuation, .ill look reasonably
consistent.

I didn't have time to try much
programming of the board, but read
the demonstration program

WMwwrt M B ^ iw -■ - - ■ • ■■■■ ■■••wwmmw
carefully. The new statements
become part of the BASIC
interpreter, and can be used just like
any other commands. This part of
the implementation has been done
very well much better than the
many other BASIC extensions I have
seen — and the author (Ian Jensonl
is to be congratulated on this
software.

As well as graphics and colour, tho
board has a programmable sound
generator chip on board. This gives
three tone channels, a noise channel,

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TRS80/SVST6M 80

and

It is complete, carefully wriiton, and
a lot better than most computer-
related documentation, but probably
isn't suited to th3 complete beginner

— get soma help at first. Many more
examples would help. I recommend o
revision.

And the results most

impressive. Using an ordinary
domestic 19 inch TV, fed through
the aerial socket, the Graphcard
produced the best display that I have
ever seen on a TV. The display was
much better than can normally be
obtained on a monitor, never mind a
television. The designers have aimed
to get good colour, and they
certainly succeeded! The

requirements of good colour forced
them to design ihoir own modulator,
and to include many of the
components that other people leave
out.

The colour that I saw was bright,
saturated and vivid, covering the
whole screen, without any o* the
annoying bats which so often spoil
other displays. The TV this was
displayed on hzd just been delivered
to my house in a pick-up and plugged
straight in. Animation is possible,
and can be nade relatively fast,
using Graphcard Extended BASIC.

The cost - just under $400. Uses

— almost anything, particularly
games and education, I imagine, but
not necessarily restricted to these. II
you are interested in more
information, write to the
manufacturers — Jenson and Parr,
Box 31-007, Christchurch. This is
another excellent local product. It
seems that New Zealand designers
have a lot of ability in producing add-
ons for ihe '80.

I did intend to do a round-up of the
clubs this rronth, but time has
caught up on me, and this article is
being written before the clubs that I
wrote to have had a chance to reply,
so I'll leave it a month.

envelope control. The sound
generator covers eight octaves, and
can also be used to produce very
realistic explosions, gunshots and so
on.

The sound facilities are standard
for the AY-3-8912 chip, and fairly
difficult to describe in detail -
experiment is the answer here!

The BASIC extensions must be
loaded. Irom lapo or disk, before
using the card. Even from tape, this
didn't take long, and thoy don't use
much RAM space — in a 16K
machine, the memory size is set to
30719, so only 2048 bytes are
required. When you consider the
power of the software, this is a
remarkable feat.

'Best display
I've seen
on a TV'

Nothing is perfect, and the
Graphcard has one limitation - thore
is no way of reading the colour from
the screen. This is a significant
limitation, in that it forces a
particular style of programming, but
it can always be programmed
around .

Physically, ihe card looks to be
extremely well engineered . The
printed circuit board lay-out is most
impressive. A lot of components are
on the board, including its own 2.4K
of RAM, so the colour graphics do
not require any RAM, as do the BBC
and Apple machines. Using graphics
need not restrict the size of
programs!

The manual which comes with the
card has detailed installation
instructions for the System 80. TRS
80, and genoral instructions in case
you want to use it in another
computer, or in an OEM application.
The manual explains fully the use
and programming of Che Graphcard.
e=mc' e=mc' e=mc' e=mc' e=mc' e=mc' e=mc* e=mc' e=mc r o=mc' e=mc* e=mc' 6=tne J e=mc T e=mc' B=mc\

Systems 80
customising

By PAUL BRIGGS

Readers of my last report,
"Infectious diseases in j

Microcomputer Clubs" (Bits & Bytes
No. 1, p. 2 1} will be pleased to know
that because ol the miracle of
modern medical science (forced
viewing of six straight hours of "Tin-
Young Doctors"), I have now been
cleared from quarantine and can
safely approach e microcomputer
once again. The last piece of prose
also stimulated a number of inquiries
concerning what is available and
where lor Systems 80 hardware,
hence the rest of this article.

The awkward thing about System
80' s is that thoy simulate a
microcomputer that was never
originally designed to do that which
it wound up doing, namely a TRS-80
with 48K RAM and disk drives.
When Tandy released the TRS-80
model 1 in 1978 through its Radio
Shack chain of stores, it was
intended to bo an up-market'
experimenter's device to exploro the
new world of microcomputers which
were starting lo appear on the
electronics scene.

For this reason it containod only
■ IK RAM and a limited BASIC.
Wherever possible cost-saving
shortcuts were applied to circuitry as
the device was not expected to sell
in large numbers. This policy led to a
video display that was marginal in

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Tel; 794-045

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42 - Septemew. 1983 - UirS & BYTES

Ck~im>.„ .„./„„.

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sags CTHIJ IS THE COMMODORE 6*

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LOOK A T THESE PEA TURKS FOR EXAMPLE

1. A lolal memory capacity of 64K, 38K directly available to BASIC When not
using BASIC a full S4K is available for machine code programs,

2. Interface adaptors will allow the use of a complete range of hajdwaie peripherals
including disk units, plotter, dot matrix ami daisy wheel pri Mere, networking and much,
much more

3. A complete range of business .software including word processing, information
haitdlinft, financial modelling, accounting and many more specific application packages.

4. Other computer languages such as LOGO, UCSD PASCAL. COMAL and
ASSEMBLER arc being developed. Existing VIC and 40 column PET BASIC
programs can he easily convened.

5. The powerful sound chip gives 3 totally independent voices each wit Ii a range of
9 ociave>. User control over music envelope, pilch and pulse sha pes provide the ability
m make your Comtnodwc 64 sound like a variety of musical inslmmemls. «lo or in
harmony.

6. 62 predefined graphic characters pi us I'ul I alpha numerics with uprxr and lower
case letters, all available di redly from the keyboard and displayable in normal or reverse
video in any of 16 colour*.

7. 40 column hy 25 lines colour display, In high resolution graphics mjdc, a bit
mapped screen gives 320 * 200 individually addressable pixels.

8. The dedicated video chip allows the use of high resolution multi-cobured
"Sprites" (movcabfc object hlochs). Sprites can be moved pixel by pixel, independently of
anything etc in the screen,

9. Sprites can also beset up in 8 layers" giving full 3 dimensional effects with, if
required, uutomalic collision detection between sprites and any ndicr screen object.

10. Machine bus port will accept ROM cartridges for manv applications, including
business, educational, home and ieistire software.

13. A second processor opt ion using (he ZS0 gives the Commodore 6*1 the ability
to support CP'M.*

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Base Price

ADVANCED FEATURES

SI29S

lliiiii-iii user memory

Programmable

Real typewriter keyboard

Graphics characters

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Function keys
Maximum 5!4" floppy

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AUDIO FEATURES

64K

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YES
YES

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Sound Generator
Music Synthesizer
HF-'i Output

VIDEO OUTPUT

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VES

Monitor Output
r.V.Oulptil

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v i-:s

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Cassette Port VES
Iniclligcni Peripherals YES
Serial Peripheral Bus YES

ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE FEATURES

CP/M* Option

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External ROM cartridge

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Contact your
local dealer

BITS* BYTES Septemtret, IB83 43

TRS80/SVST€M 80

quality and art unreliable cassette
format. However, sales rocketed
soon after release and this popularity
combined with requests Irom
owners for more capability soon
gave rise to on board modifications

to carry the larger Level 2 BASIC and

an expansion unit for extra memory,
disk drive controllers, and a parallel
port.

High power marketing of the
TRS-80 in the United States and its
relatively low cost has made it the
most popular microcomputer in that
country in the earlier years, and this

has given rise (o its biggest selling

point: the huge range of cheap
software available for it. This in it's
turn promoted more sales (software
range forms over 60 percent of the
REAL value of any microcomputer!

and so the TRS-80 range is still a
major seller,

For some reason Tandy was very
slow in exploiting the export market
for TRS-80s and this lack of vigour

combined with fairly high costs of
the landed machine in New 2ealand.
(courtesy of the exchange rate and
our taxation system) allowed the

establishment of a TRS-80 clone in
this country, namely the Video Genie
from EACA International, Ltd., of
Hong Kong, also marketed under the

labels of Systems 80 and C/Micro

Present owners of these systems
still enjoy the benefits of a largo
software base, but it's hardware
inheritance leaves something to be
desired in this fast improving field;
the cost of expanding to full memory
and disk drives is still high, no colour,
no CP/M capability, and a number of
annoying incompatibilities with
programs written for tho TRS-80
model 1. As I mentioned in the
previous article, a small group of
electronic enthusiasts have

developed a series of modifications

to rectify some of the above and are

rapidly mastering the rest.

Because it is not practical for a
group of privale individuals to offer
these upgrades to the general public.
John Gilbert & Co. " now performs
the installation and servicing of these
on a 30 day guarantee on all work.
The modifications are aimed at three
areas:

1. Reducing the cost of full

configuration (disk drives, full
memory etc) by eliminating the
need for an expansion unit.

2. Improving obsolete circuit design

to aid reliablity.

3. Adding late generation features
available on other micros (e.g.
colour).

The current range includes CP/M
{using standard 5 VI inch disks),
colour video display with 8 fully
selectable colours. 48K user RAM
fitted inside the case,

TRSDOS/NEWDQS compatible

floppy disk controller - again fitted
internally, parallel printer interface
patch thai allows the printer to
respond to TRS-80 type programs
(the TRS-80 printer is memory
mapped rather than part-configured
as in the System 80), lower case
characters, CPU clock speed up to
double the operating speed, and a
switch to allow older systems
without an internal amplifier and
speaker to get sound effects via the
external cassette socket.

Future customising includes
joysticks, a really good machine
code monitor, an RS 232 serial port,
a voice synthesiser, a parallel po-rt,
and a multiple channel music
synthesiser.

Taking into account their purchase
price, the above upgrading and the
plethora of software it is obvious to
me that these microcomputers still
give the most for the least.

' Addtoss: Pu/no'l Jtiso. Parnelf, AiirULin/i.
P.O. BOX 37-245, Pwwti.

Telephone: t09)3&-839.

TRS8Q

GRAPHCARD

SYSTEM 80

SVSTCtA

MONITOR

THE HIGH RESOLUTION COLOUR GRAPHICS AND SOUND
TERMINAL FOR TRS80, SYSTEM80 AND OTHER COMPUTERS

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INTCRNOTIONfll
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products

show

The National Computer Con-
feroncG, at Anaheim, 30 miles south
of Los Angeles, earlier this year is the
subject of this report by Craig
Honey, of Auckland.

New products at the National
Computer Conference at Anaheim
included: Slim-line disk drives which
are now being incorporated into
systems such as the Visual 1 050, a
ZSO based machine with up to 1 28K
bytes of programmable memory.

TEAC, che well-known Japanese
maker of tape-recorders and stereo
equipment, was strongly promoting
its range of 41mm high, floppy-disk
drives to manufacturers, and
although prices are at present higher,
slim-drives will soon be as common
as 3'/* in high drives.

Also from TEAC and from
HITACHI were 3in floppy disk drives
with the media sealed in a rigid
plastic case. Using 1 00 tracks per
inch, the same recording format,
dqla transfer and disk rotation
speeds, these drives are plug
compatible replacements for
standard 5 ft in drives.

HITACHI olfered both single and
double density in either single or
double-sided drives, and TEAC's
drive allowed flipping the disk in
either single or double density.
Capacity unformatted in 250K bytes
(single density) or 5O0K bytes
(double density) using both sides.

Already at least two computer

makers are incorporating Sony 3in

drives in their portables and with
Hewlett-Packard using these in their
new disk-top computer, their
acceptance is almost certain.

Weighing less than half the weight
of the normal 5% in drives and having
more compact dimensions, they are
bound to appear shortly in the flock
of portables now appearing.

At least eight new portables were
shown, among them the MCS-100
from Microdyne featuring two Z80A
processors {one for the CRT), built-in
modem four expansion slots, S-100
bus and 256K bytes of user

accessible RAM.

Commodore had its DX64

46 - September. I'JBS &II'S&BY1ES

"Executive 64" on display which is
Commodore 64 compatible and has
a 5in colour d splay monitor, one or

two disk drives, and 6502
processor.

Jonos Corporation offered

several models of Z80 based
machines using the STD bus and
having five expansion sfcots and two
Sony 3'/»in micro floppy disk drives,
each with 322K bytes formatted
capacity. This portable machine has
a sophisticated display using an
3085 processor to control the 9in
green monitor. Additional options
even include a built-in printer. For
&US3195, including CP/M, BASIC.
Multiplan, Spellbinder and

Spell check, tiis utilitarian-looking
portable is gocd value,

Other IBM PC compatible portable
computers included the Anderson-
Jacobson PC/530 (also known as
the Dynalogic Hyperion), Columbia
VP Portable, Osborne Executive II,
and Compaq.

The Compaq features a 9in green-
phosphor, high- resolution monitor

with very legible characters, 320K
byte disk drive and shree expansion
slots for IBM PC compatible cards.
Selling at aiound SUS3O00 in
standard configuration, this machine
has proved vory popular and the
company states that it has such
difficulty meeting domestic demand
that it at presert has no export plans.
The new Osborne Executive with
amber 7ln display and 1 28K of bank-
switched RAM was shown but the
IBM compatible Executive II has yet
to become available. Osborne now
has a lot of competitors, most at
competitive prces and with larger
(and clearer) displays. For example,
the Columbia VP portable comes
with 9in monitor with graphics,
128K RAM, two 320K byte disk
drives, 8088 processor and
$US30QO worth of Software - all
for SUS2995!

Sixieer>-bit computers, many
claiming at least some IBM PC
compatibility, are becoming the
norm, and software is now widely
available witr the number of
programs written under MS-DOS or
CPM-86 growing at an astounding
rate,

The Japane&e were showing a
number of 16-bit machines and
indicating quite attractive prices for
complete machines with, in most
cases, very impressive colour
monitors. Toshiba, Hitachi, Sord,
and Sony all offer MS-DOS as the
operating system and have very
impressive colojr graphics. The new
Sord M343 is interesting in that it
has an 8086 processor, up to 7B8K

bytes of main memory and
expansion slots on the S-100 bus.

Texas Instruments has also joined
the competition with its Professional
Computer with 8088 processor and
reluctantly admits that some IBM
programs will run on the machine. Tl
also offers MS-DOS, CPM-86 and
the UCSD P-System operating
systems with a variety of options in
hardware. But the machine at
present lacks adequate software.

Voice control
from Tl

A most impressive demonstation
of Tl's Professional Computer
showed its capabilities in telephone
answering (and recording messages
on diskette) and voice recognition
and control.

For professional people who
cannot touch-type, voice command
and input is a last way of using the
computer with a minimum of
training. The software had not yet
been released but plans are to have it
on sale by the end of the year.

Also innovative and becoming
more popular at reasonable prices
are colour printers (most of which
are also capable of high resolution
graphics), Multi-coloured ribbons
seem to have given way to the
"drop-on-demand", ink-jet system
of printing which is slower (typically
40 cpsj and requires suitable paper
but produces excellent images,

As usual with printers, the
Japanese had some excellent
examples. Canon's A -1 210glvingan
excellent rendition of a high-
resolution CRT colour display.
Printacolour also showed a similar
printer and claimed 4913 shades of
colour available with built-in
"dithering". These printers and
similar plotters are slow.

Polaroid showed its system, with
other companies having similar
systems to reproduce a screen image
onto 35mm slides or overhead
transparencies. These systems are
expensive and would have limited
application.

Despite the numerous displays ol
hardware, software was

conspicuous by its absence: only
about 75 exhibitors were listed
under software and many of these
were showing only software related
to their hardware on display,

The Japanese seem to have seen
the light and are utilising software
from the United States and more
manufacturers are bundling common
software such as spreadsheet, word-
processing and data-base programs
with their machines.

COMMODOft€

■ ■■-■■:■■.■. ■ -■ • :.-.Avi^mw»**«tiiw«wiA«rtAm.vc

Of 'Zork'
and word
processors

By STEVEN DARNOLD

"2ork" is a very popular adventure
game available lor a wide variety of
computers. The Commodore 64
version is fairly standard. The
computer scrolls its output on the
screen and tak-os the user's
responses as ordinary input
statements. A status line at tho top
of the screen shows the adventurer's
progress. Most of the data is stored
on disk and it is accesscid very, very
often. This slows down the game a
bit on a 1541 drive, but I expect a
much faster response time when I
get the IEEE interface for my 2031
drive.

"Zork" does not change the
screen colours, so you can set the
colours before you run it. I like pink
letters on a brown background. If
you want to save a game in progress.
"Zork'' has this feature, but you will

need a fresh disk. I tried to save a
game on a partially filled disk, and
"Zork" obliterated some of nhe
programs.

"Zork" is an excellent adventure.
It has a very large vocabulary, and its
descriptions are rich and varied. The
plot is cleverly intertwined with
pu77lGs, laughs, and surprises. I
highly recommend it. However,

'Zork'

not for novices; it is Far too

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demanding. Thero are no hints, and
the maze is the most vicious I have
ever encountered. Inexperienced
adventurers will just be frustrated.
If you are interested in adventures,

but don't know much about them, I
suggest you start with "Atlantis
Adventure". It is in the public
domain and your local Commodore
dealer should have a copy.

"Easy Script" is one of the many
word processors available for the
Commodore 64. Last time I counted,
there were eight, but I suppose there
are even more to come. This plethora
of word processors should not be
SU'P'iping — word processors are
jolly useful. Letters, reports, articles,
homework assignments, etc., are
produced faster and look neater
when done on a word processor.

Two years ago, I got a word
processor for my Commodore PET.
Now the old typewriter is covered in
cobwebs, and ny wife and I use the
word processor nearly every day. It's
just as well we now have cwo
computers. Several times already we
have ended up shoulder to shoulder,

she on the PET and I on the 64.

If you can afford it, get a printer
and turn your 64 into a word
processor. Perhaps you don't use a

" 'i K i i ii m ii

typewriter much now, but once you
have a word processor you'll find it
much easier to put together an article
for Bits & Bytes or to write a letter to
the Listener. Be careful, though,
when you buy that printer. If you are
going to got full use from your word
processor, you will need good quality
printing. Daisy-wheel printers are the
best, but they are unneccessarily
expensive. A good quality dot-matrix
printer with real descenders is just
fine. The Commodore 1 526 printer is
suitable for word processing. The
Commodore 1525, however, is not
recommended.

"Easy Script" is the best word
processor I have used. It is slightly
better than "Wordpro 3" and much,
much better than "Papermate". In
many ways "Easy Sript" appears to
be a copy of "Wordpro" . The screen
has a similar layout and many of the
formatting commands are the same.
However, "Easy Script" offers
several improvements over

"Wordpro". The main text area is
twice as big, there are more editing
options, and up to 240 columns can
be viewed using tho screen as a

Turn to page 60

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Box 62-0-81. Auckland. Phone 882-280

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Patrick Dunphy has over 15 years' computer programming experience and is now combining this with TV and
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UIIS 8 BYTES - SOPtembflf, 1983 - "17

BBC

Commands
for making
sound

BY PIP FORER

I have a working (and totally
indefensible) definition of BASIC
commands into those for layman and

those for heavy hobbyists. In the

latter category reside BBC unique
verbs such as FX, OSBYTE and USR
as well as knowledge of concepts
such as Fred and Sheifca {not to
mention Jim). I haven't made my
mind up aboul VDU yet.

In the layman's category are the
normal, healthy BASIC commands.
To mo, the most complicated ol
these commands are those for
sound. Maybe it is the association
with hi-fi's (and anyone can use
thorn), or maybe just (hat sound
differs from maths and strings and
logic, and I really feel it should be
easier to program than the rest. Yet
in practice it is not and since this
month's column comes in reponse to
reader requests I seem to be not
alone in this dilemma.

One reason for initial difficulty is
that the BBC offers some very
sophisticated sound commands over
four sound channels. However, to
access these is not a matter of
requesting a ZAP, POW or ZONK as

on the playful Oric computer, Rather
it is a process of getting a feel for
what the commands (and their
parameters) entail. Once you have
that worked out you can get to work
on some interesting effects. This
article is an overview rather than a
detailed technical note but the New
Zealand user's group newsletter is a
good source of further ideas and

BBC

effects. Here wo just look at some
strategic Questions.

What are the BBC sound facilities?
(this question is for non-BBC owners
only).

BBC sound comes in four channels
numbered through 3. While three
of these channels give musical notes
the other one (channel zero) is a
"noise" channel for special effects.
You have slightly less control over
this channel than the other three and
it is certainly less musical.

Commands

Sound is ccntrolled by either a
SOUND command or a SOUND and
ENVELOPE command used together.
The simplest use, which even I leel
totally at home with, is using SOUND
on its own. The SOUND command
has the following syntax: SOUND

C.A.P.D. The letters C.A.P and D
represent the channel number (C).
ili' 1 amplitude (or loudness = A), the
pitch (or treqency or actual note = PI
and the duration lor length = 0)- in a
program you can use numbers or
variables for these values. The
permitted ranges of these values and
special comments are £|iven in the
table.

ii mm hi "tin n»i wwnnnmwii— I

special effects, depend on this
greater control of sound.

This control is achieved by the
ENVELOPE command which carries
with it no less than 14 parameters to
define, I want to look at the envelope

more at a later dale but let me outline

what it does. Its main function is to
let you access differing qualities of
sound by using any one of four
envelopes. The envelope you are
using is defined by a positive value to
the A parameter in SOUND. It does
not have to be that of the channel
number accessed.

The ENVELOPE has two functions
in controlling SOUND. First, it allows
you to control the volume of the note
over time as the note is played,
through six parameters, Second, it
allows control over pitch (through
another six parameters). Between
them these two functions allow the
production of almost limitless
tailored sounds. However, the
production of the sort of sound you
actually want demands some
thought on the definition of
envelopes and the relationship
between envelope definition and
sound parameters, particularly
duration.

Parameter

Function

Range

Notes

Channel Number

to 4-

is noise

Loudness or

•15 to A

•15 is loud

Envelope Selector

is silent refers to

envelope

Pitch of Note

to 255

53 is mid C

48 covers an octave

Duration

to 254

In units of l/20th
Second.

Is that all there is to sound? No.
That gets rid of simple sound. But
most sounds require a changing
quality as they are created. The
amplitude of the sound may vary as
the note is played and so too may its
pitch. Any lifelike sound, and many

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The use of ENVELOPE requires
much practice. In the second part of
this topic we will give a short listing
to experiment with ENVELOPE.
Since the envelope really requires a
lot more explanation t will return to it
in November afler a review of BBC

disks nexl month.

View drivers

Further to lost month's column it

appears that the printer driver for
View allows two sots of printer
control codes to be defined at any
one time. By default, these are codes
for underlining and emphasis but
they can be set to other effects, for
instance character size. However, it
appears that two sets are the
maximum permitted in any one
application.

Apart from this a spreadsheet'
package to complement View is
rumoured to be in preparation and]
the Wordwise people have also
announced a C45 spreadsheet ROM,

<IS Soplembot 1983 BITS&BYIJ.S

ourself the

imsar

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an Australian panel of experts has done it

for you.

The NEC Advanced Personal Computer.
Top of its class in Japan. Australia's Personal
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I .-i'. < <irn]Hiier& li.ivc Kvn as eagerly au.ui.-
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I krsides lieu 19 ll iv 1 nvii popular pcrsoi w I
computer in lis cl&tt InJown. ihe APC
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In Conducing thv ;iyof out judging pii-
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"NEC's Mwuuxxt Personal Compute) has
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/ Jie A/"C ciVuriy «xce& in i*wre areas irAJrJ 1
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APCfoffsU '■ - • 1 '.inning, analysis,
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See if you agree with the
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BBC

»• > »i »

Simple sound is achieved by using
a loudness factor of 2oro or less. In
this case a note of equal loundness >s
generated for the given lime period
of the note. The larger the negative
value of A the louder the note.
Unless you use channel zero the
result is an unexciting but musical

sound.

For instance SOUND 1,89.-12,20
would produce a compuler-like A
above middle C for one second -at
quite high volume. The note comes

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on, plays and then dies abruptly.
While paying it does not vary in pitch

or loudness. Sound on channel zero
is offered through a "pitch" of
between and 7 but these
"pitches" in fact represent different
sorts of special sound effects such
as white noise (see p349 of the
User's Guido) . Only values threo and
seven offer further control over
pitch.

Essentially, channels of sound are
independent unless you wont to

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make them conneclod in some way.
Each channel con play its own note,
alone or simultaneously with others.
The mechanism is that the sound
requests go to the SN7G489 chip
and for each channel can be queued,
with up to four requests for each
queue being held at any one time.

The audi jos are independent so
that several notes may be processed
through ono queue while a single
note plays on another. No new note
can be played on a channel until the
former noto has been played.

If the queuo fills right up. the
program you are running may
suddenly slow down since statement
execution will continue only after a
SOUND command has lodged its
request in a queue.

The main involuntary exception to
the independence of channels are
options three and seven of channel
zero mentioned above. Here tho
pitch of tho special effect is on zero
controlled by the pitch of channel 1.
The main voluntary exception ts that
you can control channels to play
together. In this way channels 1 to 3
can be synchronised to play chords if
wished- In fact this facility is part of
a more general form of C (for
channer-1 in SOUND,

General form

You can replace channel (C) by a
hexadecimal number. For instance
the value. & 1103. could be used.
The & denotes a hexadecimal
number and each intoger is in fact
one of four parameters that can be
passed to SOUND. In the manual
these are roferred lo as HSFC and
the last one, C. is our friend tno
channel numbor.

Of the rest. H and F are easy. H is a
parameter thai determines when a
note ends. It can be zero or 1. If 1
then the last note played on channel
1 continues until a new note appears
i[) is overridden). This allows a
smoother merging of sounds. F. o
queue-flushing parameter, can also
be either 1 or O. If the value is 1 the
current nole playing on the given
channel, plus "the entire queuo, are
flushed oui of 1ho system. This lets
you avoid infinite sounds or queueing
problems.

S is the key parameter for chords
It gives the value of extra notes to bel
played simultaneously. If zero there!
is no effect on normal operation but.
one indicates that one other note fori
a different channel) should plavj
simultaneously with the new one. Al
two means that three notes total aw
needed!. In this case nothing will bi|

Turn to page 59

3€GINN€RS

Y frV^yfry^lW iWJiV AW>yy j *** 1 *' V*AVHV*Mrf»**f*VflrtVH^-j*rtV***V*:WftS^**tlJ

Turning
the tables

(CORDON FINDLAY continues his

series on BASIC for beginners. /

Last month I left you with a

problem, which was to wrile a
program to test the multiplication
tables. This was the detailed
"specilicatioti":

1. Clear tho screen, and prim a
welcoming message.

2. Ask for the multiplication table to
be tested.

3. Ask 12 questions, from "one
times" to "12 times". Each question
is to be printed on the third line o( the
screen, replacing the previous.

4. After each question is presented,
get the user's answer. If it is correct,
print, "Well done". If it isn't, print,
"Soriy, the answer is", and the
correct answer. Wait two seconds
between each question.

&. Once the questions have all been
asked and answered, the screen is
cleared, and the number of correct
answers displayed in the form: "You
answered - questions correctly".

The variables that the program
was to operate on were:
TB - the multiplication table being
asked;
X - the other number in the

question "TB x X";

CT - the correct answer;

AN 1 — the user's answer;

SC - the score — the number of

questions answjred correctly.

This is how I went about it. You

could very W9ll have come up with
different, even better, ways of
writing this program.

Steps one and two are straight
forward:

15CLS

20 PRINT

25 PRINT

30 PRINT "HI1 WELCOME TO TABCHECK"

35 PRINT

40 °RIMT

45 PRINT "WHICH 1ABLE DO YOU WANT TO

TRY?"

50 INPUT T&

Remember that line 1 5 may be
different for your machine, and that
lines 45 and 50 could be combined in
most cases.

The blank PRINT statements <35.
40, etc.* are to spread the message
out on the screen. There are other
ways of doing this too depending
on your machine again.

Before we start in at step three.

■cMow-MyWmWJBV >M W| rttHI M W*! M HI www

let's remember that the "player's"
score needs to be kept as the
program runs, so we need to start
the score off - at zero obviously:
55SC=0

Don't forget the LET in this

statement, and others, if your
machine requires it.

Stop three is best tackled a bit at a
time- To ask each question, we must
first cleaif the screen, then print the
question:

70 CLS : REM CHANGE TO WHATEVER

YOUR MACHINE WANTS

76 PRINT

80 PRINT

85 PRINT TB: " x ": X;" = ";

Notice the semicolon at the end of
statement 85, to keep the user's
input on the same line. Mow we need
both the usor's answer, and the
correct answer!

90 INPUT AN
95 CT a TB ■ X

Mow compare them. There are two

possible actions, and we need to skip
around the one not selected each

time:

100 1FCT = AN THEN GOTO 115

1 05 PRINT "SORRY. THE ANSWER IS";CT

110 GOTO 125

1 15 PRINT "WEIL DONE"

I 20 SC ■ SC - I

125 FOR 1 = 1 TO 2O0O

1 30 NtXT

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BITS B BYTES SepL>m!>c-r, 1983 - bl

B€GINN€RS

The pair of lines 120-125 do
absolutely nothing, but they take
about two seconds (on my machine
anyway) to do it - it's as if she
machine were idling. This gives you
a chance to road the screen. Check
carefully the jumping around; if the
answer was correct, the path is
100-1 15-120-125-130; if wrong.
the path is 100-105-110-
125-130.

Line 120 of course increases the
user's score — see how that is in the
part of the program which is only
reached when a correct answer is
given?

Lines 70 to 130 complete the
handling of one question the

question "X times whatever". We
need 12 of these. The best way of
repeating some sequence when we
know the requited number ol times is
a FOR-loop. The loop is simple, but
watch line numbers if you're typing it
in:

60 for x = 1 to '2
135 NEXT X

All that's left is step 5 — telling the
user how he cr she got on. Better
clear the screen first:

1-40 CLS
145 PRINT

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150 PRINT

155 PRINT "YOU ANSWERED ";SC;"

QUESTIONS CORRECTLY"

160 END

This output also appears on line
three o1 the screen — in the same
place as the questions did. Most
often this is a good idea.

Mow you are probably thinking

that this is terribly long-winded

discussion of a relatively boring

program. I agree! But look at the
division into small tasks which we
have carried out. And look al the
careful thought that I put in before
writing. Hopefully you can learn a
few more skills, and broaden your
experience, by this sort of exercise.
Mow for the interesting bill Add all
the graphical and sound effects that
you can to this program to make it
Into a real whoop-de-do game.

Post your

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CP/M

A beginner's

look

at CP/M 80

By JOHN WIGLEY

This month we leap into CP/M 80. II

you are new to CP/M read the
introduction to CP/M from last
month, or at least keep it handy lor
reference.

CP'M is an operating systom. Like

all systems ii lends to "grow" as
new and bettor features aro added.
The problem is that this growing
reduces the memory available to run
programs, or TPA, in CP/M parlance.
To add a new feature means making
a choice between the benefits of the
feature and the loss of available
memory space.

CP/M 2.2 occupied a large amount
of memory and any improvement is
bound to occupy more. CP/M version

3, or CP/M 80, as it's now called,

occupies quite a lot of memory, but
in the right sort of system can leave
61Kof TPA,

How is this paradox resolved?
Digital Research has taken
advantage of "bank switching" of

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memory (sometimes called

"extended addressing"). Quite
simply the Z80 808X lype family
can address 64K of memory (16
addressed linesj-

Wc can switch this memory by
plugging in say another 64K memory
board. The CPU will happity go on
addressing up to 64K. All we have to
do is keep track of the boards as we
switch them. W3 do, however, have
a problem. As we have used all 64K
we have* no common omen to link
the boards and nowhere in memory
to store it! If we use the top. say, 8K
of memory and make it common to
all banks ol memory we can load
BIOS and BDOS into this and use it to
t ransler programsVinformation in
memory from one bonk to the other.
What's more we can use the
operating system, CP'MI 80, to keep
track of the switches.

Problem solved? Well, not quite.
We must use memory boards that
are built lor bank switching, in (he
case above, otr own 64K memory
boards would be bank selected in 8K
chunks or ban<s. The size of the
chunk can vary from 4K to 16K,
depending o>n the boa'd
manufacturer.

The diagram shows how this
works. It has been simplified to make
it easy lo read. Note that the TPA
extends into the non-banked
memory for program transfer. Only

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three banks are shown, but up to 16
can be used. The net result of all this
has been to give a lot more effective
space. As woll, the BIOS and DDOS
are bigger but occupy less space in
the system when it is executing.

Since these extras are stored in
memory we do not need to access
the disk to use them thus cutting
down on disk wear, and no slowing
down for disk reads occurs.

On lop of this. Digital Research
has chosen to implement data and
directory buffers. Directory buffers
go into bank and data buffers into
banks 2-1 5. Cache buffering is used
so thai if information needs to be re<
read it is read from the buffer, not
from another disk read. Up to 265
buffers may be allocated to data and
directory.

Obviously this is going to ust
memory, so don't get too carried
away. To cut down on superfluous
buffers. Least Recently Used sectior
is used. As now information is called
up. Old Least Used is dropped. Tht
directory tables are also "hashed"
which means the directory entry can
be accessed directly. All this adds u;
to speedier running programs and
less disK drive and diskette wear.

Another feature, and not before
time, is a "help" program. Instead of

cryptic messages, error messages
are expanded and a help facility can
be called up to explain and assist
This feature will be worth its weight
in gold.

How does CP/M 80 stack up
against CP/M 2? To decide this
deeper look into some of the ne«
features is needed but if you do not
have a "bank" facility available thai

stick with CP/M2.

Next time CP/M86, Concurred
CP/M, and deeper into CP/M 80.

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BOOKS

Excellent
for some

"Mastering Computers" by
G.G.L. Wright. Published by
MacMHIan Education, in its Master
series 1382. 227 pages. $9.95.
Reviewed by Geirit BahJman.

Computer awareness is the
"in" phrase in most high schools
in New Zealand today. In
computer awareness courses
students are introduced to the
why's, what's and wherefore's of
computers without necessarily
being introduced to formal

programming. Such courses
endeavour to make students
familiar with the technology and
jargon without giving them any
formal training in it. While
successful computer awareness
courses spell their own doom and
critics of such courses ask the
question, "Did anyone need
telephone awareness courses?",
it is accepted by most people that
there is an abysmal ignorance o(
both the technology's capabilities
and the state of the art today.

"Mastering Computers" is a
commercially oiiented computer
awareness text designed to
introduce adults to the vagaries of
the technology and its arcane
vocabulary. It is up-to-date and
comprehensive. It is at the brink of
the micro exalosion with a
photograph of the ZX80 micro as
an example of the "bottom" of
the home-computer market. It
discusses computing in schools
and the various activities in
education and explores some of
the social implications of the
technology in its "future"
section.

If the text pushes any barrow it
is in the detailed description and
analysis of systems development,
commercial computer acquisition
principles, softv/are development
procedures, and the organisation
and administration of large
mainframe computer

departments. This bias makes it
very clear that the text Is aimed) at
the businessman who is
concerned with the acquisition of
commercial computer literacy.

The commercial approach is not
over-stressed, however, and a
solid overview of computer
architecture, primary storage,
peripherals, and the mechanics of
how a computer operates is
provided.

If any serious criticism is to be
aimed at the text it must be at the
attempted depth of treatment. For
a computer-literate person the

book has surprising depth yet

clearly fails to extend. However,
for the computer illiterate it will
appear daunting. So the question
of the level at which the book is
aimed is the one which gives
concern. I believe it is an
appropriate text for anyone who
has a working understanding of
the industry, but has yet not
achieved exposure to the detailed
understanding that formal training
would provide. In this case the
book would be an excellent
extension and can be readily
recommended.

Database in
Pascal

"Microbook: Database

Management for the Appfe
II". By Ted Lewis, dilirhium
Press. 307pp. $39.95.
Reviewed by Brian Strong.
Microbook is a data-
management system and program
development tool presented in an
English-like language that, for
anyone with a minimal knowledge
of computers, makes it easy to
uso. This Pascal-based system is
explained stage by stage with the
various elements presented as
diagrams or actual screen
displays.

Microbook is extremely
versatile and can be easily
modified for such uses as

otiviwS!

Specialists in

COMPUTER
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Over IOO0 titles
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b6 SccicmCcr, 1983 - SITS & BYTES

BOOKS

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accounts receivable and

educational tests through to
stockmarket histories, sports
statistics, lists, or whatever your
special requirements may be. At
least half the book conies an easy
lo read program listing, making it a
must for Pascal programmers
faced with producing customised
database packages for user-
friendly situations. Instructions for
obtaining Microbook on disk are
also enclosed.

This book gives a good insight
into structuring database

systems, but experience in Pascal
programming will be needed.

Interfacing
TRS-80 III

Interface Projects lor the
TRS-80 Model III, Richard C.

Hallgren (Prentice-Hall, 1982. PP.
paperback $24.60. Reviewed by
Jay D. Mann.)

Your personal computer can
control the outside world, as well
as perform calculations. Three
elements have to be added to the
basic computer: a means of
sensing and measuring external
events; a way to control or modify
the outside world; and suitable
software to tie everything
togother. This book by Richard C.
Hallgren provides essentially
complete answers to all three
needs. It is intended as a practical
guide to the reader who is familiar
with digital circuits and with
design of circuit boards.

This is definitely not a
beginner's book. There are no
tutorials on Boolean logic or
soldering techniques. Instead, you
are given a series of "cookbook"
answers that will fulfil 95 percent
of your "interfacing requirements.
Because the hardware is
presented in detailed circuit
drawings with I.C. pinouts
numbered, and the logical" gate
operations ol each I.C. are drawn
out in full, you could build each
circuit without having to look up
anything in the manufacturers'
specification sheets. Conceivably,
you could build each of these
projects by following the wiring
connections without under-
standing the logic, but when
troubles arise all needed
information will be found- The
emphasis on labelling all pinouts
continues in the appendices
where the in/earth/out

connections for both positive and

negative 3-:erminal voltage
regulators are covered. How often
do authors omit this small but vital
point?

What son of circuits are
presented? To begin with, you
could start with a simple analog-
to-digital unit that employs 555
timer to convert voltage or
resistance in:o a computer-
readable value. For faster

response time, you can then
choose between either an 8-bit
analog-to-digiutl circuit or (for nit-
pickers) a 10-bit circuit. As to
what you measure, suggestions
are made for a -.hermistor probe or
air or skin temperature, wind
velocity, joysticks, or fluid levels.
Ultimately, thtse measurements
have to be translated into
something elss. You will find
programs for plotting results on
the VDU screei, possibly after a
remarkable fast Fourier transform

written in B^SIC! Circuits for
switching external circuits, or for
outpuning a digitally conirolled
voltage or current are presented.

Hardware alone is not suficient.
Software is ev€n more important,
and it is not omitted. Dr Hallgren
uses machine code for speed in
controlling the interface

hardware, plus BASIC for ease in
manipulating results. Although
the assembly language versions of
the machine-code routines are
given, in practice with BASIC
programs poke the machine-code
into memory.

The programs and hardware are

specifically designed to mount on
to the signal bus of the Model III
machine (and typically a useful
listing of signals on this bus is
given). One of the key aspects of
the Model III is that you can jam
information on to the computer's
data bus by pulling an external line
low; other computers will need
deferent approaches. Full
advantage is taken of this feature
of the Model III, but most people
who are capable of utilising this

Turn to page 58

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En way Drive, KefiVeii
Vi'IIAIMjARCI COMPUTER CROUP: Ton. Alton. 3 1/lauou

Rd. ftiu™™. Phontt 83-003 twj Mom. «van/

*scond wednvctMy ol Iho nonih m Nwihintyl

CoaimimtiyCcllooo
NZ MICROCOMPUTER CtUB WC. P.O. Bo* «-10.

AucMiMd. Iho tnoniniv V*u:ln;| is hnlil on il» I mi

WodooMnv at each r»Mth at Iho DSN/ H.-:i 107

Hilli.aco.iGn Rd. Ml RoiXilt, l<om 7 30pm. Vhlcon

flic «uo ^oleoma ic iho coiniiiiiui waktiiopin ihc

Mil. lO^n 5pm, on the SaioioOv followaip. the

Dbcvo TcoDng.
The lalkiwInQ tisiu vauat me oar! oi hw elun AH

infi*i«iij olyiwn sio-t 7 30p*nai iho VHF Clultioeira

H*jol Awn, Ml Ooikill Oilier ocUvo umi groups

.■■thin iho fiiub ate:
■APPLE, CP.M DREAM 6900. SMALL BUSINESS, HIM.

LMW. SORCEflER. 1BD2 and 3660. They can all bn

iiO'Tia'.idd at ck b irneiinys o» ytn ?J7 micinrninputii'

C'uh.. D 0. Bo* 6?'0. Auckland,
APPLE USERS' GROUP: Don Hb U 8», 70 Hapu* Sirrm.

nantu«ti:M3 74Q;r)l 647 IBOuvl MuoliiiQ*, l«l

Tuawlay iiacti inomi
ATARI MICROCOMPUTER USERS GHOUf IVvmoiUonn

Vbldb. Phnnn 3303 060 'hi. Mwtiogfl Second

Tuesday. -

BBC USERS' CROUP: DavcFiolcct. Phono "0030 o-i

51 S (wl Medina*, nooonrt Wodw&day o! monlfc.
BIG BOARD USER GROUP: Slouo Van Vumi, Flot 5. 1 1 1

Mo*oto flil. Ml Roikin. Auckland 4, Plono lOttl

659-391 Ihl.
FUSIHESS USERS' GROUP: Join Hawthorn. 1 1 Sinwioa

Rd, Romuwa Phono 6*2714 thl. 876 1 BO lw>.

MWi*iy* iponUtly,
CDVMOOOnt USERS' liHOuP .-olviW<tl*«(. B33-95B!)

Ittovl, Box 1)333 Auckland. Moolsi|i» 3ii1

Aodooiday. ttnmueiu Prmniv School Hull

Diomcns Road.
CPJM USERS* GROUP: Kfl/iy Koppttit. 2'fl70 Donilnon

Ril , Biihnoiiil. "Iwriu 6ft 83118 (hi Mnolmm: Mkr«

HoiiLnon.
IBM PC USERS' GHOUP. Tniry BowOon. 162-330 'h>

770 910 (w.i, Go- &2i0, Aucklan*.
HZ OSBORNE USERS GKOUP ai.»i Jftrrwt, 853-738

m I Bu< 6210, Ancktord.
OHEAM 0800 USERS PelniWUnl*. 23 Knh;cnSl,Miiw

Lynn, Auckland. Iticnn 1091 876110 lh|,
«IM USERS: Ailvi l)««i I A Noillibam Rd. Tnkoou-u.

Phono 1031 A37.8b2|li|
LHW USERS: Ray JainoB Pl.»im 1091 30-839 {wl.

585- SO 7 ml.
SIKClAin JSERS' GOOUP: Doug Fannc*.

567-5119 |||) Miiolinun fmuil' Wodiwnthay
SORCERER U-SERS- GROUP (Ml: SolwvnAdDrt. Hi

491-012 m>. M«»itnu« Mtciowo.h»liop.
SORI) USEns GROUP: Gianno Hall. S Bioud<

Mmutswa (266 8I33KHI
Tl OO'flA USERS' GROUP: f!*y Tucker, !,8a- 105 CW. 63

Mai'lol Rd, PikufHioa.
IB02 USERS' GROUP: Brian Coi>i|uai. Phonn Oli'j OBd

(hi

WI7Z.".riO USERS' GROUP: Rietiocd McFodQon

TGNB^'BICti). 78*590 iw). '1 H.I|IoqSi, r|f.f«ngi.

Fio obovo contact* tan uatially l>e loiiiid at NZ

MlcoaamnutPI Oi :i Moolmui. ..' via P.O. (!". Q?10.

AuaktBtidi

Iic-iii

P(i»fl,

Odnii A.mkL-i'id-'jBiWi ffOijW

ACES (AurkUiod CorrtHiint Education Snciniyl C*
Diittctoi. Comnmei Cnriifl, 5oc-nnd*y Icachflffi'
CO»f«(«- P»'viii« Bog, Svmondb Snoot. Ai*kLmd.
M>nittmi». ittiii) WnOmidiy PI iximli, at UioCWflflO.

BBC CtiJb: &bp Onuv ni ii/nonl i*iis lifit.

CMUG lConil->ed Mic<0 oonji.i«i Usjrs' Groupl' !»>»« •
/i n i. ■ MiriiniO" o» Mic (ore oinuto' C-.iln. Gtoupa, oic,
loirrw) lo cu-tiidiitaiB nclivilita a'd 10 flivs a
e ombioad voico on topics coooon>ing nil rnflio ■ v-i*.
RopicwntJlion *io«ii Ol CIWpO biKI Q/Ouas t
welccni*-! 10: CMUG OF t) Sat fi7in. Aucklrtnd.

EPSON MX20 UStRS' GROUP. Contact CW. Nighy,
3.31 KhyDOr Po88 Boot. At.(klnnd. |An«anlinnn,

??"i-2ea«.

HM1C USERS' GROUP Uurklniyiy C'- Cnlculatoi

Conno. P.O. Bo» 80-14. .Vucltonil ! G'a^i Buchanan.

7W-379 lw) Mmes ihlicl WMnwdiiv. 7cm ai

Cr-i:m C.ii'ii: JtoiK. G«obi South Rd-. Eosom.
HZ TRS-80 MIC10COMPUTER CLUB: Olar Skamliolt,

203A f3o*av Hd , luiianot. Phniw an-Boga in)

M«»l* lost •'uoedoy OS^-! Hatl, 107 hUlibm nu(|h

RO, Ml Ru»».fc
OSIflBC USEnS' CROUP tAk> So«oi*v: KnnHiiilftv. J J

Btnuodiry Rturi, Auc*lHid. Muo«n IIDfd Ti#sa«V<

V"F Clu'iioome, HwtH Avo.. Mi Refill,
SVMPOOl (Ml SYM US6H GWIJPl Moik Bwibii, CO

Oo> 65 1 , Ma-iuttwo, Ph 51 1 0*3 (wl
A.Z.TE.C. Biion Maya. Church Suoei. Kutikoti. Pl-ooo

490-326. M4inlw« uwal 1 niicoti
BAY MICHOCOMI'UIEH CJJtt i.lau>sno<i>: G. kVoid

SMietoiv. P.O. Be" 6C37, Biookiiold. Tnumogs

Plrtiwi 89-234.
BAVOFPLENTVCOWMODCItE COMI'UIER ClUB: D.J

WoVoy- "I -10 ink Simoi. TflUOnga
BeACM COWI'UIIMi CLUB (WfllhM: JPtn* Cli'lu Bo«

1 32. V/oll- (P«. 45 3R4 Wotlii RojtrJU
ATARI 400.BOO USER CLUJ Oavo B«own, PO Rox

60B3, Himinon. piwo nn> &n «« (it).

HAMILTON SUPER BO U5EitS' [bnco Wiiito, (hi

436-878.
WA HATO COMUtODO!*! U5ER9' C.nOUP; Sofiflla/V.
Wit Etloe'i Woc-lhouw. 32 Kenny Ciotoom,
It o<n*ian.
MOHIIIHSVILIE CDMPUTEn SOCIETY! Conloci: Mn.vi
Slonyot. 49 Coionnlion Rood. Monn"v*». i^iono
G69&ilil Moult lot ai'l 3«l WodiiovJavK
GISOOfK-E MICBOPBOCfcSSO - * IISEBS' GHOJP: Sl.idlt
MuMlt-Morrlclc, PO B>* dB6. &<.|ioirto *»hBnii
B8-B3B-.
ELECTRIC APPtE USERS GROUP Until frlrt^^i-. P.O.
Bo« 3105. Fiuroy, NowPlvmoutli, Piono 80210.
IARANAKI MICRO CCWP^TPH SOCIETV- PO Bo.
7003. Boll MmI, rJnw Plynioi/lh Mr K. S<v.lh,
Pnoi»aB58. vYiritum
UAWKr'8 HAY MtCROCOMFUTtn USERS' GROUP: Bob
fintih'. Pirimai Phaimocv. °irimni Plaia, Nopim
Ptiono -039-016
MOTOROLA USER GROUP: Iko-iv Wluginw. iZL26*ll(
P.O. Bvix M IB. C.di»m*ioii »"oilh Phono (0631
83-627 |hl;
MICRO AND PEOPLE IN S0EIE1Y (MAPS): Low. moots
on MeonH "•H fouilh DuiihIjv ol hbcIi (MAI'i
Col*. 28 rdlobn'gh Stion Lavm. PI-or« 83 90*. oi
W Viii ho*. CO. &oe< 405, Lovln-
^AIHAHAPA MIC H0i:«IVI\tEI1 USEOS' G«OUP DeWl

:'. miiiM h! i.rii.ii :.- M. in ■■■ m.t y I •' i

CENTRAL DISTRICTS COHPUTIRS IN tDUCATION
SOCIETY' Roty Bmlot. 4 John Suool Ltivtn. 10091
B4-466 o< MatQatot Msiqoo. IB StonOor Stioul.
Ka-oi, Wolllonton. <04) 707-167
UWER HUT I COM^Ttn CLUB: Shnno Oovlo. 18
Holdwn'th Avonao, Upon Huti. Phont 278-64-6. An
nll-machino club.
DBC USER GROUP: Umnn <! nthor nuichi<ici wolcono
«oo. Wiilo PO Bo- li81. Wolllnntoti, of Hhcno
861-213. Wollingti"!

We'll win

By PAT CHURCHILL

The Poly 1 educational computer is
now "beginning to do quite well in a
number of areas, considering all the
abuse it's had," according to Mr
P.W. Harpharn, chairman of the

marketing company, Polycorp.

"As people become moro used to
the Poly and more knowledgeable
about it, they get to realise why it is
built the way it is," he said.

One ot the biggest things the Poly
has had lo ove-rcorne is prejudice —
"that you can't do this in New
Zealand", Mr Harpharn says.

"We're getting more inquiries and
follow-ups than ever," Mr Harpharn
said. Taking firm commitments into
account, about two dozen New

58 - BITS & RVT?S - Sopiuniher, 1083

Zealand secondary schools have
gone the Poly way,

As the number grows, so does the
educational software.

Teachers and pupils are beginning
to generate thetr own software.

Another Poly software catalogue
is due for release and will be a major
enhancement on the previous one,
Mr Harpharn says.

He says flings have got
"enormously screwed up and the
quality of the product has got lost in
all sorts of a'guments. At the
moment we're getting the sort of
chaos the Education Department
feared."

However, Mr Harpham says he is
confident about the future of the
Poly. "We've been able to keep up
with developments and build on
what we've got. I think we're going
to win eventually with the Poly."

BBC Cluli Seounhvoi load a' thl* list.

MIC^OeEE USERS' CLUB: P.O. Bo* 871. Walhngton

2nd SirvjoY oTmonih,
NFC cev.FU.TER USERS' GROUP: C P.O. Bo* 3820.

WfllllODTOn,
OSSOINE U3CH GROUP. Oi Jen Bahoftn, C 76

Ghv/iwo Si-i-'ji. Wehl'iglan I Pnone l04i 723-650
N7. SIMILAR USERS' GROUP: » E MvCjuoII. 11 Mho

5ireei , lonoi Hull.
NZ SUPES BO USERS' GROU-* &- Peanul Compulse, 6

Diimtao Pi. Chiwlwta. WollioQton 4. Phone

7311 72,
OHIO USFRS' GROUP, Wolllniiion SwiiuuiivJT'eoMtfaf:

R.N. KHop. 65B A«4i«,i Slioot. Potltua.
A1AHI USERS GtG'JP, V/olfnQtOn: EdO« NIChWBS.

Pnon* 731-024 (wl. PO. Bo> 16011 Mooi/iut

liltt WOdlVIOlt«VOl ll-.illlltl

WEIIINGTON MiCROaOMPUTING E0CIE1Y 'NC: P.O.

(--.. liitll. Wnllingioo. oi Uili faikin Ibl 72b OBIl.

Moottnni nto noli in Wiin;(« BmHIInji. 203 203

Will Skcoc. on inc Zno TucWjy ouch maniti «

>.30nm.
WELLINGIOM SYSTEM 30 USERS' GROUP: Cont not: M.

rrickoii, Phi:.-iir 734 351 iwi. 0*3 747 in).
Nil S0\ MICIKlCOfilPU I Ell ClUB: Di Cl.i . Fnlthom.

IMan.iioo Vallov Rd. Nohicxi Pnooo t05<11 73-300 in).
KELSON VIC JSEHS" GROUP. Polm Aiclw P.O Bo*

B&O. Wnloon Phano I0L4 1 79 383 (W.
BLENHEIM COMPUTER CLUB: Chib i-il()ht locono

V/oiCiaidnv nl niiinili. Iviin Mn\'ivii. SP'ii»t»y. P 0.

Bj. 068. Pltono (h) B0-2O7 n- Cw| 87-H34.
CAWTERBUPV COMPUTtR EDUCATION SOCIETV:

Socieiaiv. IWU Fidminn. 79H800. Box 2613.

Clurttctiurci*.
C'IRtSTCMURCH ATARI USERS GROUP: Cootacl Ed«iii

Bioodl. PI'OPI 22B..222 IW, 793 428 I 1 *)
fIHfliSTCHURf.il 'BO USERS' GROUP; Uavld Soxlh. P.O.

B0> 4 118. CniiMcfgiCh. Phono 63-1 1 1 II.)
CHfllSTCHUBCHPEiiASUSUSEBS 6B0U* Don Snwh.

53 FiMQuhMt Rd. R*tlwood, ChdMchoich. Poor*

1031 B20-8tM (hi «4-S4rt |w). ZL3AFP.

ciimsTCiiuncti apple users' group Paul •Joidoioi,

a- P.O. Bo» 147?. ClMKhui-ch Pfiono 706 -! CO

lw)
OSI LSEHS' CBOUP (CHI: Buhy loog, 337 BirAnWH

St., Sp'ovdwi. CmiMchar.h. PImumi 3B4-G60 lb).
CHfllSTCHURCII ATARI UStRS' GROUP: Edwin Biaodt.

61 [Miilrt SlroU. OliiBlch.l(ch 3 Pftooo 22U-7.I3
CliniSTCHURCII SINCLAIR USERS' G10UP Mt J.

Mitcholl, Ptoivo 38-6-1*1. P 0, Box 3309B.

cimisrcHuncn coMMOcaRE u«iers gholip: Joh*

Kiamoi, 805-633 and Johm Spatiow Phor«

806-O99.
ASMOUHTON COMPUTED SOCIETV: M< J. Qavk. 62

Biucofiold Avoimo.
SOUTH CANTEHI1UR* COAfPUT EPS GROUP: C*leM lor

allmactiliwr. fi: ■ ?KB\ tolOMS*. Ooall McCaugluin.

P'lono llmaru 84-200 oi ".0. 8o« 73.
NOHTR OTAGO COWPUTEH CLUO. Contact. Poior

Oom4o, P.O I!— 261. o.'« vj Phono 30-106 Ibl

70 646 (h).
LEftD»IG EDGE HOME COMPUTER ClUB: Elaine Oi'.

1 1- i:(ii»|( Ed||«i Compuioia. P.O. CVji 2260. Duoodin.

I'-ic-ii: 66 208 lw).
DUN6DW SORD USERS' GROUP: T r , (V Shond Phono

i034W71-39B(wl BBI-433Hi).
CENTRAL CITY COMPUTER INTEREST GROUP, lionet

Ednolvi. Erllpi« Itodio ord CompuloiB. Bo- 5370.

Dunodoi. Phono 7 78-102. Moutlms OVKV noonnrt

Tuesdjy
SOUTHLAND COVVOIlCnE USiR GROUP: IVIC 20 ami

04*1 Adaoit: O' Olhco Egiiponorl Southland, bo<

1078. Invoicnioill

NOTE.: Cluttn would nppoowra a ttompad i*i|-

itiIiVi 1 1-nvl novolopo wnii any wiilloo nqtilty la

ilum.

NOTE: II you ahib o> flicip n not llutod, dio(i a too
with iht tJoiuiii n, Cwli Co<>i*cib. Bi'S * WH$, Bo«
B2V. Chilntcho-cn. Tho duadlloo foi wddihom «nd
.) icuiiiiMKi <t (hit luni wooWmwl ol ilia monih tmloio Ui«

">;;• I ijsvv

From page 57

book will be able to modify the
designs for other 2-80 computers
The author has also written a book
of interface projects for the Apple

If you have sufficient hardware
expertise to build the circuits
presented, this book will save you
a great deal of effort, particularly
with its integration of hardware
and software. University and
industrial laboratories, in

particular, ought to find the book
an invaluable source of ready-to-
run circuits and programs. It is not
easy to find such detailed, down-
to-earth information that can be
applied so directly.

GLOSSARY

Alg oriihm: A Mm of lnii'ucimns lor oiir/yina oul some
process step by »iee.

Applications piogiam: A program wiitton to coif v oul
a specific job. foi example an accounting o> wo'd
Dfocriiit-ii [won/arti.

Airay: A, Cain type round in high leva: languages,
which is siortid In n contiguous h'ock o>l memory
Aecosscd by the army name and an tree* making
ii rwncr to process gronp* oi datn in many
ffriuu lions.

BASIC: Booiiwiers' All-purpose 5ymhobr Instruction
Coitn. Thf most widely used, and easiest to
loftrfl, iinjii \e»o' MogmmmmQ Ian-guano >oi

microcornea "'*

Baud; Speed «t wamdptiinn. dato, i*w»uh«4 ■< l""-

pei second.
Binary: The system o( counting in l's nn<] 0's used

by oi distal eompuuis. Iho Vb wid O't wo

represented In the computer by mledncal pulr.es.

eithor on or off
Bit: B-n>M\ digit. Each Ui represent* a chn*acte> in a

binnryiu.inhiii. Hun lerjitnni a I 01 Tho number

2 ofluals 1 lii binary tint! is twn WW.
Boot: lo loiw trio operating system into> tho

computer 1'om n disk or tape. Usually one of the

first Steps In pii'naring ihc compute *<« use
Buffer: An area of memory i<Md fo« tempo-my

storage while iiArsloninii daln ?o or fiont a

peripheral such ns a printer oi a disk dftvt.
Btif): An cor in a program.
Bylo: C*ght Wli A lot 101 or number is usually

roprononlcd in o computer by n lerloa ol Ofghl

b*t& CflBcC o ItVlC and the twilpurrr hai irJVs ",lvi w

os ono unit or "word".
CAL: Computer Aided Learning CAL programs "'o

tvntien to take djfferani actions on different

■k.-'i nt ;ir!,.vi ■ -

Coinputoi InnijuiKjai: Any group of intern, nuiiibcia.
symbols ami prun<lu-at>on marks that enable a
UWD M inttojd oi commumicatn wnh n
comrjuter. See nlso Programming languages and
Machine Innguage.

Couifcowwa. Munii foi eoniM<" Diogi.uu 1 ! used m

teaching (implications.
CpJ: Mear^s cnarector poi Inch A common way oi

dnetlWnoj chnioctoi dennty. 1.0 . how close

kh|«i I'ioi chnrnciers bio i" printout.
CPVA* An owiaf "J system lor Z80 luiMtl ma

ll is by fit- Iha mor.1 widely u*od DOS for 28D

bosod rnaclunon ami lltora Is u» (HlllOmoly large

■mltTiV.uo h.t- ■■• '"< >- ';"•' abfl disk or**ati*¥|

■ystoms.
C|iS; CluiuiciDts |»" hocotid. A common way "'

dosciOng apcad « pdrttOH
Cuisoi; A mark on a vhIoo lliDl Intlicaics vvhoio tl»o

next OhorOOWr w8l bo shown, or whelp n clianrj"

can ".>•! bo mode.
Diii,i. Ar.y iilpimrtlton tisetl tiy tin; rnmiwiei nilic-

i.o o- Iniarnoi mlownttuon ai iniomnl

mfoimation is rcprownnnl in birvuv.

I)i-.k A list, T.<r.iil3' <n;»iincl«C surfneo on wh r>\ IIMj
computer ciin more tind rolilovo data and
liiogiomg. A flc*lbic o* Mnppy ilhk is e akngUj a
iiidi-x b 1 -. inch duk of llpwblo |ilo«tc c<iclo*e<lin
..i .'rivclnpu. A haul iho* is an assembly o*
sovciiol discs ol haul plastic mjtonal. Hiaunlf il
one above onoihct on tM same spmdlo Tho liaid
iiisk holtla un m hiiiidiiMlr- <j> mMmw ••' i>v«'"
while (loppy " ■'" IvwcaUv hold uoiweon
140.000 ami ihien m>lhoa bytes.

Disk drbvo: Tho machanlcal davice which tMMftt. IhO
dmk and poaitton% tho ica<(''*'ilo hOOd io
wiitwmabim can be wtitovflei or smi to dw <ssk uy
the EOirautiti.

D-nkaitv: Another narw for a o'/i Inch lloppy (link

(talk Of-iiaiing. syMnm: A r.ct ml p-<Mlt*m9 llvil
lata i*i»l comtroliina Ol moio disk d'lvos. See

CP/M foi one BHrnpifl Otfi«f ojtampkw n»

TflSDOS «on T«S SOl e-.ii DOS 13 Ho- A,,|Ji-m

DOS' Soo d-sk oporawng system.

Del maliW: A tyiW o' l>r."t bV til IWOllO titi "f .1 moldX
of |Mns, on. 8x8. Wtion a c*>ar«cloi is to be
linntoa Ihu DpfWOprXdo |»"!i p«|h Oul and itilko
:li> 'ihlion to pap«t« lo't""«| th«j iliaiucter.

Dot 9>epiiics: IhersO qraptnc^ aie tndnndual

pi««iii. UfiedbyMncn lummgofioroiIonoplKOl.

Ooulile donaity: floppy llrlvOI Ih^t llOfO twice tlwi
stamlo'd aiKHail of data in the BOmo space. Tins
i ■■<; bOBn m»de posSiWe by advance In tl»'
medium und dM dtlvei.

Oumo: Popfclfl' Mm lw sveml - u riald '«om a
, ,.,■■;..,'. | ■ . i ■■ , . lawrje levl ■' ■'" ' >•■ 'I" I B
or lope.

Eaccute: A command thai lull* a compute' to c*iy
oul a usci's instiuclinns c pronrnfn.

FiUifolil: A tvpo ol papOl thai nlllioiii|h it COMlnuOUl
»haei (otoa inW -s^t ksnoth sheets. Il»s •*
achinvcci by t'-av <>( o poiiowaiad itna oi ■ i
intBivdis. it niso i takes lu oaiv la iobj olf ,i

■i-|-|. ■ 1 .. l;--l

File: A continuous collauiion ol characters <o> bytctr

thai tlwt user c«ns-de>s a unit »o« c.ao»pie on

accounts rocoitfjole lilo), stored on a tope or riiuk

Inr iater use.
FiiPMOie; PlO«"i-rG fi^ed in a cwnputar"^ ROW

iRf-nd C'lly Mainoiy); as compa*od to soltware,

liingriima held ouis-ilo the compinor.
Floi»ples: Thif plashc o.skS wilt, ai miii)fl*tic eaam$

used ton stodng infoimatiuii. Called Hopples

bocauuo they gifl Hnxible.
.Fiictioai f«««l: A typo ot paper- feeding system for

pilntoia. ncinnl pii|»"' '" > < r "' "unus ;.'"■.! .*.

rjrippod Iiivaw.k!ii iwn liuibon rollo.-s m on a

typewdter.
He>dy>ai9 llw cimputer Hull and pOfiphOttri

nifichlnns 'or ntotinn, readmit <" end prmtmu out

(flfOfrMtkMl
Hex: AbBievlafion In* lionidnctirial not.mon. a

imsir '0 Muiiioaiiim system convonient to uue
will computers.
Htgti-lovet Innsuago. Any EorjIislVAo langiiafle. such

as BASIC, thot p-ovides uailor use lor untrained

pieguunmofs. Ihcfu aio now titan* sucii
. au i j m .mil ii «Vfcts ot tho same lonnuage (loi

oxampii- MicroBASIC. PolyBASIC old.
HIMFM: Demotes thehHlli'ist a-ldressilvaiisavaHaWo
"i .i memory «i»3F.

Input: Any kind ol mluimaiion ihoi onu cniora Into- tt

compu:«'i.
Int?iaci<vn Relo'S to the "convoifcaHon" Or

cammunlcotion letwoon o computoi end tho

operator.
Inteifnco: Any liE'diWitcsoltwari: syHtttr t^nt Imhn

a microeompiitor and an y oihei device
l.'O "l»piii<'nuiput".
Inverse video: Wtian lie bocsso/ound Is coloured^ e.g.

on a Mock end white screen white becomes

Inn: •mound nwl oinnreters ato wnitun in black.
K: The number 10?4. Co-mnov-y r f MS to 1024

oytes. Main oxcuition I*. capacty ol individuol

.:liips. where K m»0n* I 024 bits.
XILOISVTE loi K>. «"p<crsenis lO?-» hytes. ^or

nMampIv OK is 6120 wytnu (6 x 102*1.

Linn leed: A cc-ntrol codo ChORKUl (ouild in tho
ASCII chjiacior i<>i lis normal purpose Is to
move Ino cwiioi lo.vr on* hne Ion scioonl or
move p.ipei up ono lino (on prinierl. Does not
iniuin Kw cur wi a iik ivfr'tand nv"ui ,

Machkiu language: The b.noiy conlo lanfiuage that n
COmputtf can direcUV "und.nsiand"

MoJnlrame: Tlw wi y lilde t CxnbO loll tn« tunks WVl

oihei largo biBinnssos use aro called

PlB|nf'>Pl01< Also Ii "iiciocompute rs the tonn is

ii.-: used k> iktsciilxi the core of tlte

iik Who, io. tho CPU plus memory-

Mass slOiaUe: A p'nc! in \vhlHi Inrgo umounii of
inloitraibon are sioxcd. such as a cassette lapo or
lloppy disk.

Megabyte <w Mbl; Hcpciwew a milkco bytes.

Memtiiy Mu 1 n.wt ul ihn m-fiocamnut et ir.m Uot ct
Miloimntion una nstri*ctionn. 6nch p4ecu of
I'l'iinni'i." O' nstfUCIion has a unuflvo lOCOtKXl
■ —niwd to it witmn ,i memory. ITWrt is inli-in.il
memory Inside th( imciocoinputei Itsell. end
eRMfitsI rwnioiv somO on n pcn-phetol clevsGO
such av, (hsk s oi (OOO.

Mi'uinry capacity: A"i»iint of available ttd'ago
-!|iacu. In Kliytes

Menu: Lis* of optiona wilhrin ,i pioeram thai allows,

ihii oporaior to choosn whlrh pmi io mioraoc

With Isee Interact kvil. The Options bio diitplayed
oni a screen and Iho opotetoi chooseo orac.
Mrmus allow uter. :•> ensily ond quickly net tiitO
prog/atns without knowing ony techru-cal
meiHoOs.
Micioroinputoi: A nuy.II computoi based on n

microprocessor.
MkiopiDCossor: Ine tervtrat ptoceRVUti not Oi
■"intfHioiM.i" pail ol a miciocomputoi. It is
lontjinml on ii lingl* chip of tMicwi Bng connois
as Ihe functions ami civlnxtataons.
Modom:Modulaloi-dlimiilulaiOi. An instiiim".-' ttiai

i iecis a nilcroconiHiier to a telephone And

aroiv* K to coemvunca«e vniii .siorther eomiiurte*
r>yot the utlophgni) lintfi.
Nolwotk: An intorconninted group of computers or
torrsktall imk<«: lOOOtba Io* »nrr-lf
! ommurvcationft.
Output: Tliu inlonnaiiionn computer displays, pi nt»
iif uonwiiis afltif t^rtWOCOwe^l'^-sptft.&M
input and r.'O.
Parallel interlace: ' A type ul ce>mniiin.i:a«ona
Hitei<a<e used mn<J> loi DnnloM. 't semis a
wi>ole chorai.ioi oi data rjonvn oigw iccmmanly)

i ., on., bii down oich ii to ■■ < bkbi *" ton

type of paoTcl ■naViKe 'w p*mt«s is the
Centronics inieilace.
Pascal: A high level bi^iiarje Ihmt nm flvenui-flily
t Ival BASIC <n popnlo dy

PEEK: A command trial exommes » specllic memory
location and gives ;ho operator the value there.

Peiipliornbt: All external Input or output devices:
printer, loimmol, d'ivns etc.

PittF: rSrtu'c deirint li w pB |n( ot a scieom ii
ijtnphies.

POKE: A command that inserts a valv9 Into a specific
irnrroiy location.

Prooram: A s'H or collection of instructions written In
.1 |i.u|icuttf' rproQiemmiri j Ijiujuage tlml causes a
computer to cany CMit or execute a given
ope ration.
RAM: nartdom access memory is the very -fast
memory ms-de you* comoulef. the access lime
foi imv piece in iho sairo, Vour piogratti and lun-

tia-e data are usuudy Stored in RAM.
REM statement: A -emsik statement in BASIC. II

serves n<j n memo to programmers, u'h! plays r\o

pen in the runring program.
lleiotoliOrn: A mea*i.'0 ol tho mimtx' ol poinis

{pixelsl on ji computer screen.
ROM: Read only memory. Any memory in wheh

. nlc-rmntion w 'nstructrons h»v* been

permnnenPy fixed,
Seiud Inlfllloco: A lyp* Of cgmmunlcabons interlace

used for o w.de vanety ol pu'posos Ipiintcrs.

■i.'iiiiinoie. le'cplionu coireciion Die. I. It usns a

minimum ol iv.o wires, and Bortda iHe daiU OM

: ■ ! at a lane down ono vnre. Tho mosl corr«non

ivpe ol Boripi inlg'lsce is RS232C.
Sheaifoed: A I ype of papor feeding system normally

used for Iwcin-ffuatitv document p'inlors. A

spoclnl dovico Bieke up a sheet ol iinpcf and

food.', it Into liictmn rollora.
Sirn^talloo: Ciestio" of a mathematical model on

compulBia that lofiects a realistic systom.
Sollwnre: Any programs used to operate a

Computer.
System: A coloction of haidwom and software'

Sivhars the whole- is g»cuior thot the sum of tho

pa'ts.
Tractor food: A type of paper faodinrj systomi loi

jHinims. Special eomprutor pbpim Willi holes uking.

both sides is ted by Hm t'BC tori gnp|Mig these

hokM.
VDU Vfiual dlaplery unit. A device thot shows

computei output on a television screen.
Wot d: A Qioup of Qita that an* protnsiod lonoi»<ct by

Iho computet'. Most rmcocompufers uso eight or
16 Im wonts.

BBC

■uMwiw»wMv*yw*»wwv w mi t ii m m

From page 50

played until three of the channels
have b note ready to go. Thus the
va-lue above (&1T03) m&ant look at
channel 3. keep its note running
once played, do not flush the queue
and wait for a second channel to
have a note ready before playing
both together.

Clearly, even simple sound needs
care to get the notes or effects timed
and to prevent Queues overflowing.

Z80 software

Tho details ol software to be
released wish the Z80 second
processor are beginning io leak out.
They include a Microsoft Basic, a
BBC BASIC fat the Z80. GSX
enhancements to I he CP/M
environment, CIS-COBOL and
software for word processing,
spreadsheets, and book-keeping. It
is known that software will come
bundled with the processor, but just
what of this list would come bundled
within tho quoted system price of.
.!285 is not completely clear.

BUS & BYT£S SapiQmlitjr, 1983 - 59

CLASSIFIEDS

System 80/TRS Kit: Utillij Software, an
ca«eH«, 'Ml below ViS.M, Send S.A.S-B> for

free catnlnguc. lo, Soliwurc, P.O. Hot 1003,

Gisbomfei

For Sul?: Sharp PC-J251 Haitll hotd coinputi-r
24K ROM -i.2K It A Si complete with (112*
Printer- Micro cassdlC WCOfder, potKI supply
anil spare primer (tills. New, unwanted mfl.
V.ilucd ar J690. Sell lor 5500. Phone Auckland
V.7-Vi7or wiiiiM04M Upland Kojd. Rentuera,
Auckland.

Wanted, Buy or borrow. p;i*t copies British
"Your Coinpiiicr" rruujwtlto; Write A. Telford,
55 Tcmntii Road, Ikivrloek Nonh. Phone
775-421.

Ciivlnmherl /\fcl Inside ;i 'Dean kcybonrd'

sviih hard wired H<K KA.M converted 10 feed
moiiiloCi separate t>p/ofl switch and powei
Spckel. ^(» mow lievbonrd errors {.'vocpi yours.
CtKI .ivcr $50(1.00. I would like 4380,00 o.n.o.

Also hmc Green Screen Monitor I8MHZ band

width 5300:00 o.n.o. /\ Primer SI80;00 o.n,o.
II, Mytrol':, 21.' Wescparkdaic Si, Tokorn.i. I'll.
67-625.

For Suit: Sorcera -isk ram c/w BAV.
Moniior/r.V., tape deck and software (mainly
ftamcsl. Plus 'teed teletype (no intcriaee Iml
working). S950 o.n.o, Wesipon 8301 Evenings;

In lur million wtinnril on converting B & XV
T.V. for /N8I. ciho circiiils Itn KAM expansion,
Mmi Kiliip. II Brookbank Place, ulcnvlew,
lliiiuilioii.

Wanted M1KBUG 2,0 tomiiaiiWc BASIC ui
Information on S.W.T.P.C. 8K BASIC V2..1,
Ph. AK 403-8789 .coded.

Machine Code twok fur ZX8I. InVal i«r
lirj>inum or nihuiHul iiriiiiiaiiiniriv M'J.VS.
Computer W«rld S»ri\v»rc. I'.O. Box 2722.

Chrtticlwpch.

Dick Sinllli \Vi//anl. For Sale. Joyilickv
cartridges cassette Interface; Won It SSOO. Sell
S600 o.n.o. Telephone 55-W» l Taurflnga),
collet I.

For Sale: Sharp Pitkci Computer MikIcI
PC-till, plus cassette interface and primer
Model CE-I3I, price S3OT 0>n.O. (New Price
S7tM). Write lo: David Capill. 2511 Carnilhm
Street, Christehurch, J or Ph. 585-61**,

liilorrmlinn Harried on /XKI IK programs,
onirics elk:, plenscconiaci l>;irin Mwuly, .1 liutstll
SlrNt, I OXIOB,

For >alc: GnniCS far IKN-KO SyrttmXO 16K
Tapt-Hliminalor, ,\i Traffic Controller,
AmiPuicd Patrol. AsjlWIll) Starlman, Ik-lllin-
Warrior. All SIS. Chromaseiie rape, Oct. 1982,
I'oi Radio Shack's Colour Computer with
Extended Basle. Si". Hooks tor /XKI ROM
Disassembly (';.'■ A ml B, Mastering Machine
code on vour ZX8I by Ion i llakei. SiOeachOr
all 3 foi S25. Peaei 'Tare, x Norway Street,
Kclburn. Wellington, Ph. 757-989.

Nov \iari 41)0 with power adaptor mid IhwU

S6SO. Aliui CX 26110 — 2 com roller 1 - and } pa mes
CTnrldgea.$450 Ph. Wlildonga 65-157

Wanted lo swap /.NSi Qukksllvo inks
luMird software and iin\ oiker '/.\*\ sofiwure.
aarnes tic. N. Donajiey, 56 Cnmbria Street.
Nelson.

Cash Huyvrumikl ll« io purchnse micro and
software roi Bamcs/ncoby use. MiylhlriB undei

suitH).(si considered, Please wrlle 10 ZOSCharlcs
Strecli lliisiinns.

SHARP PC1500 Computci Macbine
LnnauaaeBook.avnllnslerrotnoll Icncllitn Sliorji
Siockers. Price $$3.00,

Unlqu* oflSeR $260 Pockei Gaslo IX702P
wilh Inpciccord cr/intci face, soil C-ises
Instructions and prci«iain libmry. Couiaci
Visser. l27Knpier Rota, Ashhurw, 268-237.

Wanted i« buy: Mlcroprofettor MPI I 2k oi
ak ram Will pay tip io S2ik>. Optional tx\m

also considered. Wiiiirio Mi M. Rclllt>Bi F/2'4,

lliim Flat Si C/- Unversity of Canicrburyi

Private Itajt, Clirisieliurcli.

ADVERTISER INDEX

Accnfis Data

b;c

MDL

Advanced Control

Mi mo Ago

21,55

Aiir'tBlc

Micro Processot Sorvlcos

ANZ Books

MiCIOWUfO

Ashby Computers

Micro '&1

Ashlord

MiroyoWholesalnjfi

Auckland Universltv Bookshop

Molymerx

AVM EluctroniftS

N.2. Fire Chains

8yto Shop

Pharmacy Wholesalers

Commodore

9,43

Polyprocessoi Produc:s

Compudata

l/B

Poi lerticld Computors

Compuiuch

Racquot Sports Supplias

Compuior Cnntre

Rakon Computers

Computer Games

Remarkable Software

CortiOdtel PklS

37. 55

HuialCotTipuleft

Computei Point

ScollayCompmeis

Compute! Souiti

Scorpio BjiiKi

57,61

Computet Woiltl (Auckland)

Sirlus Systems

ConroySofiworft

Software Exchange

8,35

Control Mi crocampictoiS

Solstai Indus-tries

Iff. 4. 61.52

David RoirJ Electronics

Sord Computers

David Roid Data Products

Supatocb Electronics

Dick Smith Electronics

Turners

EinslQin Scientl lie

Vis ion Systoms

Excel Isioi Supply

Waipawa Buses

Gadgel 21,26,39

42,47,54

Whitehall Books i

Hitoc Micro

3.27

Yield Systems

Jame-s Electronics

Jbisoo and Pair

K'Rd Computors

From page 47

window. The only aspect of "Easy
Script" which is inferior lo
"Wordpro" is that it lacks an
alternative text area.

"Easy Script", like most word
processors, uses a disk drive.
However. a workable word-
processing system can lunction
without a disk. I happily Used my
word processor for a year before I
got a disk drive. The main advanlage
Of a disk drive is that files can be
stored and retrieved very quickly.
This is important if you have very
long documents or you want to call
up standard paragraphs. Otherwise,
a tape-based system will cope
reasonably well. The program will
take several minutes to load; but
once it's ready, it will edit, format,

and print just like a disk-based
program.

Three tape-based word processors
ate available in New Zealand: "HES
Writer". "Tod Text" and
"Papermate". Even more are
available overseas. It is interesting to
note that the "Easy Script" program
contains a tape option. So far. "Easy
Script" is only available on disk, but I
suspect that a tape version is not far
away. The "Easy Script" disk is
specially copy-protected; no doubt a
tape version will be protected by a
cartridge or dongle.

In -general, I have been surprised
by the amount of 64 soflwaiG
released on copy-protected disks.
Certainly, tapes are easily copied,
but I would hate 10 see the 64
become too disk orientated. The
Commodore cassette system is Quite
reliable and sophisticated. There is
no need for the average homo user to
buy a disk drive. However, if all the
best software is to be available only
on disk. then a prospective
purchaser will face a much higher
cost for an effective system.

One of I he reasons why an Apple II

is so expensive is that it would be
unthinkable to get one without a disk
drive. I hope this doesn't happen to
the 64.

GO S«uioml»r |9'83 BITS & \

Coming up in
October

• Reviews of the NEC APC,
judged "computer of the year" in
Australia, ana of Hu- Epson
QXIO.

• A look M 16-bit micro's.

• Printer reviews.

• Machine .columns, including nn
extra ralion for ZX8I users, and
one for Spectrum users.

• Books lor computer buffs and
beginners.

iv<

t*iiini(Scr|>

DataUfe

How to keep the computer revolution
from becoming a revolt.

Computers are crea ling a revolution in [he way we work, iiul because they somelirnes lose or confuse infor-
mation, ihey also create frustrating problems.

Bui nol all computer errors'are (he computer's fault. Sometimes, it's a faulty flexible disk. Because of
surlaonnconsistencies, some d isks can lose their magnetic properties. And along with them, your information.

The answer: Daialife" flexible disks. Certified 1 00* error free and backed bv a 5-year warranty, they
perform flawlessly time after lime. j> j

So now you can join in the computer revolution without losing data or your temper. Use Daialife by
verbatim,' the world's leading producer of flexible disks.

Call your nearest Verbatim dealer or master New Zealand distributors Auckland: i»b +W-6085. tlx «wt35

COMPUDATA MEDIA SYSTEMS LTD mmiJ&BbLnxwm

llo\ 1 1 •091.

THE PORTABLE T

DOES TT ALL!

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ALL YOU NEED IS ACCESS.

If you've been thinking about joining
the computer revolution, consider the
advantages of owning a computer
that's on the front Bines.
The Access Computer.

Access solves ihc problems of putting together a
computer system because it is a computer system.
One that contains a computer, printer, modem,
electronic typewriter, and more. Totally
integrated in one neat package.
Never before has there been a computer to offer
so much capability, so many Features, and so
much versatility, combined with go-anywhere
portability at a price that's about half what you'd
pay for a comparable desktop system. If there
were a comparable desktop system.

A member of the
Autocrat-Sanyo Group

The fact is, Access gives you everything you need:

■ 5 Microprocessors

■ Z-80A Main Processor

■ 64K User RAM

■ 7" Amber Display

■ 2 Double Density Disk Drives

■ 80 CPS Dot Matrix Printer

■ I ligh Resolution Graphics

■ Detachable Keyboard with 1 5 Function Keys

■ CP/M™ M Basic", C Basic", Communications,
Fancy Four, Perfect Writer", Speller", Filer 1 ",
Calc™

■ Diskette Storage

■ Double-Sided Disk Drive (Option)

And more. All standard.

All in a package designed to take you where you want

to go. Access. The future .

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ACCESS DATA CORPORATION LTD

Ph: Auckland

Hamilton

Taupo

Napier

Wellington

Christchurch

686-577
393-743
86-004
436-079
722-941
795-659

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